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 ($475 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?
My life is currently different from how it would have been if I never received this transfer. For the longest time, I had been buying milk for my four family members which was not adequate at a high cost. I am super excited that Give directly came at the right time I had plans of acquiring a dairy cow so that I would reduce my daily costs of milk. With the acquisition of a heifer, I will now save the money to buy other basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, am grateful that Give directly came up with a decision to give everyone an equal amount and giving everyone a chance to decide on what to spend on. Many people were languishing in poverty hence receiving this cash transfer transformed our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving my second transfer, I prioritized buying a heifer. I spent Kshs.25,000 on buying the heifer which in one month I will be able to milk. I use to buy 1litre of milk at a cost of kshs.60 daily which is costly and it could not sustain my four family members.With Kshs.9,000, I obtained furniture since the ones I had were worn out. I also spent Kshs.7,000 on buying stock for my existing posho mill business whereby I sell maize and do grinding.With the remaining amount, I spent on fencing my piece of land where I herd my livestock.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($504 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing when I heard my phone ringing when I checked, I could not believe what I saw, It was a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I informed my wife who too was overwhelmed with Joy, I knew all my plans would be accomplished, it was the happiest day in our lives.
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 have managed to build a decent house, I work in a miller which I depend on the income I earn to sustain our livelihood, I had a dream of building a house but that was not possible due to financial constraints, I had to endure living in a small grass-thatched house, for now, I no longer worry about visitors and neighbours who visit us because I have enough space to host them. I am happy and grateful that the transfer has changed my living standard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 470 dollars to construct a decent house for my family, I am so happy and relieved because the other house was small and we could not host any of our relatives, I am glad that the transfer has changed my life. I bought foodstuffs with the remaining part of the transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work in my uncle's milling business. I usually receive a monthly salary in the region of 2,200-2,500 depending on the number of customers served. My monthly expense supercedes my salary and so no surplus amount remains for me to do other stuff. As a result, I live in one grass thatched house that acts as bedroom and kitchen. I am not in a position to host visitors that have an intention to spend the night at my place as the room is too small. Receiving this money will mean that I will be able to construct a nice house for 45,000 shillings. For the remaining amount, I intend to use 28,000 shillings to buy a dairy cattle and the rest improve nutrition.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend a chunk of my daytime running my uncle's maize milling business. Apart from my salary, I usually get a bonus once I surpass the set daily target. The happiest part of my day is in the evening as this is the time the number of customers is optimal. This will mean that the chances of hitting and surpassing the daily target are greatly improved and if so, more pay is guaranteed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a casual employee at one of my uncle's milling businesses. I get paid on a monthly business and the salaries fluctuate depending on the total number of customers served. My monthly salary is in the region of 2,200 shillings and my family monthly expenditure is 5,000 shillings. This means that I will always be running short of fulfilling my family's needs. As a result, I am forced into debts with my employer to the extend of taking combined salaries for the upcoming months. Sometimes I can work without pay and one day I hope I will have some financial freedom.
