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 ($522 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 this money in that l finally completed paying a piece of land which I have yearned to buy for a while now . Before,my mother in law offered us a small piece of land when we did not have a place to put our heads.This money came at the right time because my husband who is a caretaker and I were already struggling to provide for my family's day to day needs as well as raising money to buy a piece of land because their was a need to expand it to have space where we could build a house for our children to sleep in since they are now grown up and they need a separate place to sleep as the customs states. I am happy and peaceful since that the transfer has lifted this burden at long last.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by assisting the poor in my village with money that is non refundable . This amount helped us to acquire things we lacked the most . Additionally, sending money through GD issued SIMs was beneficial as it mitigated fraud cases and loss of the recipients transfers.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
At the moment I am legalizing a piece of land that I bought with the second transfer. Having purchased this piece of land which seemed like non achievable goal because my husband who is a caretaker and a breadwinner. His income has always been enough to cater for the household needs only. I am so happy because there is a tremendous change in my living standard since I have enlarged my compound.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
It had always been my dream to own a cow but I had not been able to achieve this due to financial constraints. Apart from the milk that I will be getting from this cow, my family will also have respect that everyone owning it in our community is given as it is an asset that is highly valued. Even though I still buy milk at the moment, I believe that this will end soon when it reproduces.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 am when I decided to power on my phone as I had switched off before going to bed. After inputting my sim pin, I immediately received two message notification and upon checking its contents, I realized that GiveDirectly had finally honored their promise. My heart was instantly filled with happiness as I knew that I would be able to achieve so many things using this money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
It has always been my prayer to own a dairy cow so that it would relieve me of the cost of buying milk daily. Due to this, I decided to buy a dairy cow using part of my recent transfer. When it reproduces, my family will always get milk for their consumption and also sell some to earn an income. Also, I bought some chicken as a way of starting a poultry keeping project. I will be selling some of the eggs and use the money to buy some basic needs for my family. I used the remaining amount to buy some clothes, utensils, two sacks of maize flour and other foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my family will finally be able to own a cow.Since i got married in 2014,we have been buying milk from a neighbour's house.This means that we have to spend more every month yet there is no stable source of income.Having our own will provide some income through sale of milk too
What is the happiest part of your day?
Am always lonely because I have not had children.Most of the day,I make myself busy in the farm so that I can at least,for a while,forget my problems.In the afternoon,I return home,do my personal cleaning and take some time to while the day away with the rest of our extended family.In the afternoon when am sorrounded by people,it feels less lonely and this makes it the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since I got married in 2014,I have not been able to carry a pregnancy to full term.It has been one miscarriage after another four consecutive times.The one that hurt me most was in 2018 when at six months,I lost my twins.Since then,I have not had peace because in the society especially our culture,children are a sign of stability in marriage.With all these health challenges,my spouse and I have had to incur a lot of medical expenses from one hospital to another.This has really strained us financially considering that none of us has a job that guarantees a monthly income.This is the biggest hardship I have faced.
