We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($461 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I have no new goal but am focused on the establishment of a new business that I had been working on since I received the second transfer. I am hoping that within the next month, I will have gotten a reliable source of goods that I will be selling out to my customers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did the best in our village and is still doing good in the current villages that are working in. Every household that received the transfer has registered a lot of changes that I can attribute to the freedom to spend the transfer in addressing the immediate challenges only known to the household. I have never seen any wrong with the whole process right from the start to the end.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After a small conflict with my wife right after receiving the first transfer, most of the plans that I had then could not be accomplished since we spent quite a lot of time sorting the small issues we had. This further brought a lot of confusion when I decided to give her part of the money to spend on needs but unfortunately, she left the same day without letting me know where she was headed. Rumour has it that she moved to a new marriage -that I am still following up to uncover the truth. I am glad that the second transfer came in right after, and even though I have not spent much of it, am still focused on scouting the new business project I wanted to start. I am looking forward to starting a shoe-selling business where I have set up a stall and currently looking for a reliable supply source that will meet the needs of my customers. I also set aside KES 30000 out of the second transfer for the same project, and I am confident that it will enhance the establishment. In addition, I spent KES 10000 out of the remaining amount on buying a new piece of furniture for my new house and the remaining on foodstuff, household goods, and my new pairs of clothes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at night and we were retiring to bed when I received a message alert on my phone. Since we were awake, I decided to read and know its contents and we were filled with joy on seeing the Mpesa message. We decided as a family that we would go and cash them out the following day since we already had a plan of how we would spend it. I am so grateful for the financial support that has uplifted our lives and that of other people in the hood.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
We've been living a challenging life where we earn from hand to mouth despite being a young couple. Due to this, saving some money towards the purchase of a dairy cow seemed impossible and we had decided to live our lives the way it was. I am happy that this is no longer the case since with the transfer, I was able to acquire one and this will serve as an alternative source of income through the sale of surplus when it reproduces.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer and I sometimes go out looking for any available casual work. The maximum I have ever earned in a day was KES 200 and this is only enough for a day's food. I recently got married, our first child is on the way and as a young couple, we did not have most of the household items like utensils, chairs, and a table. I am happy that GiveDirectly's financial aid came on time and we were able to spend them to acquire most of these items. First, we spent KES 10000 on 3 three-seater seats and a table, KES 5000 on clothes, and KES 14000 on food and utensils. In addition, we spent KES 25000 to purchase a dairy cow so that when our child is born, s/he will have enough milk for consumption since we currently get milk from home and it's only enough for making tea since we have to share with my brothers.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In my homestead there are 4 households and we all depend on one dairy cow for milk. I'm the last born in my family and after my father's passing way I was meant to inherit his property including the cow. But the rest of the family believe we need to share any produce from the cow. This has resulted to us having conflict over the milk, so receiving this money will mean my household of 2 will have enough milk. I plan on purchasing a dairy cow worth KES 25,000. By having our own cow we won't have to fight over milk with the rest of the family. I also wish to use the rest of the money in buying 3 goats and 3 sacks of maize that we will use for flour when there is no food in the house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 6 months I have been able to find my rib since I got married 4 months ago. I was living alone and dependant on my parents but when my father passed on in July I had to man up and look out for myself and my wife. This was a sad event for our family but it has given me the courage to work hard and the wisdom to be a better man for my wife.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a casual labourer in the village doing farm work such as ploughing and harvesting. On the good days I get KES 200 which I majorly use to buy maize flour that costs KES 100 and the remaining amount I use on buying vegetables each day. My income can not sustain us because it's hand to mouth and I barely have enough income to save for the future or emergencies. Apart from having family feuds over milk and land since my late father passed away, I have been conflicted on looking for work outside the town since I got married recently. My family is still young and I prefer having quality time with my wife.
