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 ($433 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Previously, I was not able to complete my hairdressing course due to financial challenges. Through the transfers, I was able to clear the school fees balance and I am hoping that by mid next year, I will have graduated and found a job to support my husband with the family responsibilities.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does is well is giving us unconditional financial aid which has empowered people in the society in so many ways. People were able to dairy cows which will be their source of income in some few years to come, build some better houses and pay school fees for their children. I would tell them continue doing the great work that they normally does.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Both my husband and I are peasant farmers and due to the prolonged drought that happed last year, life was not easy as we did not have another reliable source of income. This is the time we wished that we had a dairy cow because it would have helped us big time with selling milk. Since we were not financially capable of buying one previously, we thought spending part of the transfer to buy a dairy cow was a great idea. I spend $350 to buy a cow, $60 to pay my school fees balance, $50 to buy clothes for my baby and the balance to buy food. As family, we are hopeful that the cow will have given birth in two years time and we will be able to sell milk and earn some income and also cut on cost of buying milk for the baby and the family consumption in general.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was busy with the farm work. Then suddenly I heard my phone ringing, Upon checking I realised that I had received a sum of KES 55,000 from Segovia technology. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness because this meant that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had. I then informed my husband who was indeed thankful and happy. Finally, we embarked on planning how we would utilise the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was unable to build a decent and spacious house for my family before due to financial constraints. But today I am happy and grateful that I was able to realise this dream with my initial transfer. I luck words to express how grateful I am for what the organization has done for my family and my entire community. May our almighty God bless the entire team of GiveDirectly for their support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon the receipt of my initial transfer, I opted to build a decent house for my family. I had the dream before but I was unable to realise it due to financial constraints. I am a mother of one child and I depend on farming to earn a livelihood. The house that I was living in was small and old thus I used a sum of KES 40,000 in constructing a house. I then used the remaining amount on clothes and foodstuffs. I am grateful for the support that changed our living standard to a better and admirable one.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better house for my family. I am currently living in an old house that belonged to a relative before he relocated. I desire to own a house to avoid family conflicts. I plan to use KES 40,000 to purchase building materials and labor costs. This will give me ample time to concentrate on other projects unlike now as the owner may want to demolish it anytime.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 6 months, the rains have been consistent after a prolonged drought. This brought me happiness because as subsistence farmers, crops on the farm will do well. I project that in three months, there will be a good yield.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge we are facing currently is financial constraints. We depend on casual jobs to raise a family of 3 at the same time paying for my spouse's university fees. The KES 200 we get only meets our family needs like food, which forced my husband to defer his education for lack of money.
