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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to educate myself by joining a tailoring college. This has been my longing for several years, but I lacked the school fees. Once I complete this course I will be equipped with the necessary skills. I am quite sure that I would start my dressmaking shop or even be employed in a textile company which will earn me a living to support my basic needs and that of my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in sending unconditional cash transfer to the poor household in our village. Through the transfer, there is a lot of development in our village ranging from new modern houses and most children were able to resume their studies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I have been living in a small grass-thatched house that leaks a lot during the rainy season. I had wished to build a modern iron-roofed house but I lack the financial capacity. I spent KES 20,000 of my second transfer to complete the construction of a two-roomed house for my family. I also bought a second ox for KES 15,000, which will assist me in ploughing my farm. Previously, I had to hire them from our neighbour which is relatively expensive. I also save the remaining amount and I intend to add some money from my savings to start a small cafe where I would prepare and sell food to my customer to earn a living.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 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 8 a.m. and I had just gotten back home from fetching water from the well. I had heard murmurs from the neighbours that some villagers had received cash transfers from GiveDirectly, so I decided to check my phone. I was pleasantly surprised to see the message indicating that I had received KES 55,000. I was so excited and looked forward to building a new house for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Seeing our new, modern two-bedroom house warms my heart.
Before receiving this transfer, I lived in a tiny grass-thatched house with my two children. Not only was it too small to accommodate us, but it also had a leaky roof. It hurt my heart to have to watch my children endure the chilling cold on so many nights during the rainy season. I am a single mother who sells charcoal for a living. I earn KES 200 only on a good day. I simply couldn't afford to change our living conditions.
Thankfully, this changed when I received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I've built a spacious house for my family. We have our sense of dignity back and a satisfactory place to call home. This makes me so happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living in a tiny grass-thatched house is a dehumanising experience. There is no sense of privacy, and one is bound to be rained on almost every night during the rainy season. These were the living conditions for me and my two children until a few weeks ago. So it was a relief to receive this transfer from GiveDirectly. I spent KES 50,000 on materials including iron sheets, timber, doors and windows, and labour costs for the construction of a modern, spacious house. I'm pleased that my children have a decent place to lay their heads. It's also important to me to ensure my children get a good education. I believe this will empower them to build good lives for themselves. So I spent KES 4,000 on arrears and school fees for the new school term.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will fulfill my dream of owning a cafe in my neighboring trading center. I am planning to use 400 dollars from the GiveDirectly transfer to start a cafe at the trading center. I choose this location because of the good number of people spending their day around the trading center especially teachers and students which translates to more customers for my business. I will use the profits from my business to educate my children given that I am a divorcee and no one is there to help me. I will further use the balance from the GiveDirectly transfer to construct a descent and a spacious house for my family of three. Owning a decent house plus the business will make me a happy woman irregardless of the struggles I have been going through.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day. I engage in charcoal vending during the afternoon hours, something I enjoy doing and that makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a reliable source of income to meet my family's basic necessities of life such as food , education, water and a decent shelter. I am really struggling to raise my two daughters. Sometimes I even lack money to pay for their school fees and they end up missing important sessions with their teachers in school.
