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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary objective is to expand the confines of my home by adding more rooms. The current space, though filled with the warmth of family, has become noticeably cramped with our growing numbers. My aspiration is to create an environment where everyone has their own space to thrive and flourish. By extending the physical boundaries of our home, I hope to provide comfort and privacy to each member of my family. As I plan and save for this expansion, I am motivated by the idea that our home will not only be physically more substantial but will also become a symbol of the love and togetherness that define our family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization has truly transformed my life, and I find myself in a completely different status now, all thanks to their unconditional support. The financial assistance they provided allowed me to make strategic decisions that lifted me out of challenging circumstances. I was able to invest in opportunities that mattered most to me, whether it was starting a small business, improving my living conditions, or securing education for my family. The approach of putting decision-making power directly in my hands has not only changed my current circumstances but has also given me a renewed sense of agency and control over my future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the longest time, providing enough food for my family of seven has been a constant struggle. My work as a casual laborer, earning around $2 a day, was never stable. There were times when my children would go to bed on empty stomachs, and that was a deeply distressing experience for me. When I received the recent unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly where it needed to go. I spent $260 on buying sufficient food supplies. Finally, our household had enough to ensure we could have at least two meals a day. Witnessing my family look healthier and more satisfied now fills me with immense relief and joy. Apart from addressing our food shortage, I invested $96 in buying two mattresses and bedsheets for my children and myself. Sleeping on the floor with mats had become a painful nightly routine, causing discomfort and aching backs. The new bedding has brought newfound comfort to our sleep, and waking up without soreness has been a blessing. Moreover, I allocated $50 to purchase a new door for our home. Security was a concern, and having a sturdy door has brought me peace of mind, knowing that our belongings are safer and more protected. Lastly, settling a $40 debt for my brother has lifted a significant weight off my shoulders, granting me the tranquility I desperately needed. Now, I can finally breathe easy, knowing I've addressed some pressing needs for my family's well-being and security.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, I would wish to invest on a better house and also expand the livestock farming. We are dependent on livestock farming due to the harsh climatic condition.
even though I might buy some using the transfer, I hope to also work hard in my daily chores to keep adding more goats
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In the coming year and beyond, my goals are clear. I aspire to invest in a better house, one that can provide my family with improved living conditions and comfort. Simultaneously, I want to expand our livestock farming activities. We heavily rely on livestock farming because the harsh climatic conditions in our region make it one of the most viable options for sustenance. While I may use some of the transfer to kickstart this expansion, I am determined to work diligently on my daily chores to steadily increase our goat herd, even beyond the support I am getting. These additional goats will prove invaluable, as they will not only contribute to our livelihood but also help meet other financial obligations in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the second transfer, I was facing various financial obligations. Firstly, I was living on someone's land, and we had an agreement to pay in installments. With this transfer, I made the first deposit of $200 out of the agreed total of $500, intending to continue paying the remaining $300 whenever I get any amount. Additionally, I purchased essential foodstuffs, including 2 bags of dry maize grains and 2 kg of sugar, totaling $102 to feed my family of seven. Recognizing that my three children needed new school uniforms, I spent $61 on their attire. They are now well-dressed in new clothes and glad to mingle with others without any fear or shame. I also acquired toiletries and kitchen consumables for $17. Transporting these items home incurred an additional cost of $20. In addition, I also settled a $50 debt with a shopkeeper who had been extending credit to me. I am grateful for the support, as I had been reliant on hard-to-come-by, low-paying casual labor that barely paid $2 a day, and jobs. This support has been of great importance to me and my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($126 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was engrossed in household tasks at home when out of the blue, the sound of a message ringtone caught me off guard. I paused my chores to see what the message contained, as I was feeling both anxious and hopeful at that moment. It was then that I discovered I had received a monetary contribution from GiveDirectly. A surge of excitement and joy washed over me, knowing that I now had the means to achieve numerous things with financial support. Later, when my husband returned home, I shared the news with him, and together, we felt a mix of excitement and gratitude.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference between the present and the past lies in the remarkable progress I've achieved within a brief span of time. I take great satisfaction in having successfully secured an ample supply of groceries for our home and acquiring utensils, a luxury I previously lacked, without encountering any challenges. These transformations have been made possible due to the financial transfers I received. I express my gratitude for the aid that has significantly improved our quality of life and brought us a profound sense of happiness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the funds, I recognized that the timing was perfect to stock up on essential groceries for our household. This was the most pressing requirement we had at the moment. Consequently, I spent $110 specifically for purchasing food supplies. My income stems from occasional employment, while my husband operates as a motorcycle taxi driver. The meager earnings we generate are consistently allocated to other pressing expenses such as school fees, which are hardly sufficient. With the remainder of the funds, I acquired necessary items for the household. Our family comprises five children, and I'm elated to share that I now possess an ample supply of food to cater to my children's needs, a situation that was not the case previously.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Day after day, we are stared by the acute unfairness of the world. We had lost the meaning of existing but GiveDirectly transfers have given us a new lease of life and renewed our hope that had eluded us ever since. We have been accustomed to a life of hopelessness, full of massive worries of the day. Life has shown us the precariousness of everything and cut us off from normal life. This transfer will help us to reconstruct our lives, once we settle the basic need of food and clothing we intend to construct a better house. we are living in a prefabricated structure which is so deplorable so we intend to use $400 to construct a house that is conducive to live in and raise children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Nothing beats the joy of having peace. Here we sleep peacefully without the sounds of guns which was the order of the day in Tiaty. Even though we are poor at least we enjoy the peace and calm in this village unlike before when we could constantly look behind our backs to check whether the bandits were approaching. Many of our villages were killed and we escaped by a whisker, we stared at death. My sister was killed with the 3-day-old child, the events shocked us profoundly. That place is hell, I don't even want to think about it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is what is making our lives difficult. We were displaced by bandits from Tiati and it scattered our lives and disoriented us, we are still reeling from its effects to date. We came to this village as internally displaced persons and we were given this place to stay by a good Samaritan who understood our plight and offered us a place to live albeit shortly as we look for an alternative. Life has been so miserable for us, all the livestock we had were stolen and we have since been plunged into poverty, especially food poverty. So bad is the situation that it's hard to afford even just a meal ,since yesterday we have never eaten anything safe for the porridge that we gave the young children, Mark you we have 5 children. The eldest ones were not able to go to school today because they are hungry and feeble. The world will forever seem infinitely more sinister and unforgiving for us. Nothing seems to work out and we have lost hope of ever living the good life we desire.