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 ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different that how if would have been had I not received the transfer because I now have a spacious house that can accommodate us comfortably. Previously, I had no privacy as all as we used to sleep in the same room with the children but I am glad because this is not the case anymore.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly did well by giving us a financial support and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent some amount from my second transfer to buy some sheep for rearing. This are investments to me that I can rely on in case if financial challenges. Also, I spent some amount to fence my compound. I am now glad since if is more secure than before. On the remaining amount, I bought some food and clothes for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I am growing older and older thus engaging in daily chores and causal jobs is becoming challenging. I had built a small house while I was still stronger. By then it was pretty and spacious enough for us but as time went by it turned smaller and older. This made it uncomfortable for us and the leaking roof made it worse to stay in. I had a plan to build a more decent house a dream that I never saw it coming true since my daily household needs grew higher forcing me to spend much of my wages on. I lost hope of building another one as I got older and accepted to stay in my pitiable conditions. When I received my transfer, I felt it had dawned on my life as I no longer worry about a leaking roof. Currently, I live under a decent spacious iron-roofed house courtesy of GiveDirectly. Being able to fulfill this at my age is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized that GiveDirectly had sent me the promised money after my daughter informed me about it that morning. I became so happy upon hearing that and I was so thankful to God and GiveDirectly for the financial support. I knew that the money would impact my life positively.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I built a decent house for my family using part of my first transfer. I bought some iron sheets, nails, timber and also paid a mason to build the house. I settled on this since the one I was living in was old and its roof was always leaking making it uncomfortable to stay in. I am happy that we have a decent house that we are proud of as a family. Also, I bought a barbed wire to use in fencing my farm. I am now glad since livestock will not be invading into my crops anymore. Also, I used the remaining amount to buy some household necessities majorly seats, beddings, foodstuffs and clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy my own cow.I normally depend on my son who lives next to me.They have one cow and when they milk,they give me a cup of milk which is hardly enough considering that I have children and grandchildren still living with me.We have therefore been forced to take tea without milk most of the time.After receiving this money,I know this will greatly change.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.During this time,my grandchildren are back from school.I sit under a tree and watch them play and we also talk together.Not being lonely and having raised their parents alone who in turn brought them up makes me very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my spouse died over 20 years ago,I was left all alone to take care of my family.At that time,my eleven children were still very young with the youngest one being a year old.This was a huge burden which has continued to take a toll on me.Because of this,they did not get adequate education since I could not raise money for their schooling while at the same time feed them.Therefore,none of them went beyond primary school and hence they were not able to acquire any technical skills that would secure them a job.As a result of this,we are all living in poverty and have to do casual jobs to survive.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
