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 ($511 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?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a Bench mounting belt machine. We own a workshop at the town Center. We had bought one machine before, whenever I had many customers at my shop they could wait for a longer time to get their furniture ready. When I received the second transfer is was the best feelings ever since I was in a position to buy another machine. Currently the volume of work at the workshop is higher compared to when I had one machine. My customers get their furniture ready for collection on time. The amount of profit that I get nowadays is also much higher. This has enabled me to meet all my household expenditure and even pay school fees for my children on time. Before life was so hard, I could not even break-even in my business. All my earnings could be used on school fees and food for the family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard and given us a source of income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received from GiveDirectly to buy a Bench mounting belt machine at the cost of 60000 ksh. I had some savings which I used to top up. I run a wood work shop where I make furniture. I had one machine and the volume of work that I could do was not big. Whenever I had many customers I risk loosing them since I could not meet their demand on time. When I bought the second machine I am in a position to make many tables and chairs within a shorter time compare to when I had one machine. I am also in a position to make good profits which I used to meet my daily household expenditure and also pay school fees for my children in various schools. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1pm in my farm while weeding maize when I heard the message tone ring. On checking my phone it was GiveDirectly transfers and was overwhelmed with joy and couldn't help but relayed to the good news to my wife. I had eagerly waited for the transfers but unfortunately it came late by three days.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is completion of my house which had stalled. The GD transfers came in timely manner and enabled us to build in a shorter time than it would take. I had desired to build a better house but couldn't but I am more grateful to GiveDirectly because my house is in it's completion phase. I am also grateful because we used to rely on my husband's capentry work for food but with the transfers he was relieved this time around.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 5000 of my transfer on payment of school fees for my daughters because school opening was due. I spent KES 50,000 on completion of my house which I had started building before the transfers but had stalled. Initially, I had a semi permanent house which was quite tiny for me and my kids and I was taking advantage of Corona because my kids weren't going to school.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me especially in terms of paying school fees. I have two children who are currently in secondary school and very often they are sent home for school fees. I have always had a desire to give my children the best in terms of education and I feel like I have let them down whenever I lack enough money to keep them in school. I also intend to use the money to start a small poultry project that will help me in feeding my family without having to depend on my husband entirely.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is normally in the morning when I wake up strong and healthy in the morning. It is a real motivation to me to accomplish all my day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in my life is when my husband was completely jobless. Things were really tough even putting food on the table was a nightmare. We relied on our parents for a long time to be able to pull through that period. It was not until my husband got engaged with his carpentry job that things turned out to be better.
