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
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, I do not have any new goals that I can mention. The one I had in mind was to boost my business( selling petrol and vegetables). I am grateful that this was a success and nowadays, I am have been earning good returns. Initially I used to get a profit of KES 200 in a good day, on the the other hand as we speak, I am earning KES 1000 in a day. I am happy that this goal was finally achieved.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, it GiveDirectly does well in every sector and I don't think there is any part they need to change. First, every needy house was enrolled without any discrimination, be it for the tribe, gender, or even religion. We were all treated equally. Also, the officers were very approachable and they were able to handle all sorts of concerns that we could raise.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on paying school fees at a total of KES 1000 for my two children. That was the required money for their exam fees and I was stuck not knowing where I would get the cash. I later bought some iron sheets, cement, gravel, and bricks at a total of KES 10000 to build a pit latrine. Initially, we used to go to the bush to relieve ourselves. This lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera especially during the rainy seasons. Later on, I bought three goats at KES 9000 which now serve as the assets that I can readily rely on. Finally, with the amount of money that had remained, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I was at preparing breakfast for my family then the phone started ringing so loudly. I was so curious because it was still very early in the morning and no one has ever texted me during such hours. Therefore I decided to check the contents of the messages. I was super excited after realizing that I had received the first transfers that I had anxiously been waiting for. At that particular moment, I couldn't hold my joy and started calling all my family members to inform them about the news which made our morning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life that I can proudly mention is that through the transfers, I managed to expand my kiosk. The shop was our major source of income since my spouse relies on odd temporary jobs. It had been the only business we were depending on for all our basic needs. There was a time we were facing some financial hardships and we had to utilize almost all the profits. We could therefore not restock the shop anymore. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly for the financial support because after reviving it, I am now getting profits of KIES 1000 in a day whereby previously I could only earn KES 300. Raising the five children has now been easier courtesy of GiveDirectly. I am so glad because I have also been able to pay school fees for my children and comfortably cater for other basic needs like foodstuffs and clothing. I wouldn't have achieved all these of it were not for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying two mattresses at KES 10000, these were to replace the old ones which had worn out and this affected us healthwise. We could always complain of some back pains and lots of discomforts every morning. Also, I bought four goats at KES 12000, which now serve as the living assets that I will rely on for the rest of my life. I later purchased some spare parts for my motorcycle which had broken down a few months ago. In addition, I boosted my business( kiosk) and I am glad for now I am getting good returns being the major source of income. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my children and decent clothes,
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means capital accumulation, good housing and self employment. I am planning to use a total of KES 20,000 to purchase 10 goats. This will make me a proud owner of 17 goats in total. Being a livestock keeper, I have seen how beneficial goats can be. The goats will act as a source of income for me. In 2 years time, the goats will have multiplied, when a problem arises that requires money ( hospital bills, school fees for my children),I will no longer be bothered, I will just sell some few goats to settle that particular problem. I will then use KES 20,000 to expand my house. I have a family of 3 children, 2 of my children are sleeping with their grand mother due to how small our house is. Once I expand it, it will able to comfortably host us all. I also have a small business of selling petrol to motorcycle operators here in the village. I am planning to use a total of KES 20,000 to build a separate structure for this particular business. Currently, I sell the petrol in small bottles and I store it in the house we sleep in with my family which is so dangerous. The money that will remain will go into our savings account.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. I spend my mornings doing house chores. I wash clothes of my family, clean my house and the compound, wash utensils and on some few days, I send my seven goats to the grazing fields. All these tasks are tiresome. It is in the afternoon that I get time to rest and chat with my neighbors after a busy morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in life is lack money caused by unemployment. I did not finish my primary school education due to the poverty problems my parents faced. Due to the lack of formal education, it became so hard to find a formal employment slot. After I was married, I have worked as a charcoal burner to date. I have opened a small business of selling petrol here at home but the money that comes from it is still not enough to sustain us as a family.
