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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference is that I have put up a nice house that improved my home even as I continue to pay school fees for my children using the menial jobs I do. I rely on casual jobs to provide for my family. This source of income would not have been sufficient to build a house as well as pay school fees. Because of GiveDireclty, it became possible for me to keep my children in school and improve my home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDireclly did so well especially in educating us in a meeting on how to acquire money from the mobile money agents. The guidance was so valuable that we were able to withdraw the money using the advanced technology without incidences. They did so well on training everyone and making it easy for even those who were using the MPesa service for the first time ever.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer that I received on building a three-roomed house that is made of timber walls. I bought wood, windows and roofing sheets. I then furnished it and is now complete. I am residing in the house at the moment. It gives me a lot of joy to have managed to build this beautiful living room.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Previously, I was used to living in the house that we had built in the early '90s. Truly speaking it was too old as one would take a glance at it, he or she would empathize with us. The roof was leaking and its foundation had already weak. The biggest difference in my daily life is the joy and peace that has been driven after building a modern three-bedroom house that has an extension. All my gratitude goes to GiveDirectly for the massive change it has brought in my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Around ten minutes after I had woken up . I received a message in my phone which I immediately looked through it and confirmed GiveDirectly had sent the money it had promised . I felt very happy since and informed my wife who was seated right next to me . This was our point of breakthrough as a family for building a new house that we have always dreamed of .
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent 45,000 KES of my first transfer to build a three roomed house with an extension of a veranda . I am glad that I now leave in a modern house . I also paid school fees for my children who are in primary school and secondary respectively . I also bought food for my family's consumption and clothes .
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a long time one of my grass thatched houses has been leaking during rainy season. I want to build another house made of corrugated iron sheets at a cost of $400. The latter is more efficient as it will enable me collect rain water for domestic use.
As for the second transfer my wife and I have aligned that we will spend $350 for a good dairy cow whose milk will be a source of income which is going to boost the education of my three children in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After working all day everyday as grounds man in a secondary school near home, my dues are converted to fend for my children's fees in the same school. Accordingly, coming home every evening is so fulfilling knowing I have done my best for the education of my children. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Three of my children are in secondary school. Being a casual groundsman in a local secondary school, I have never held my payslip as all my dues are deducted every month to cater for my children's fees. It is still not enough so my wife has to find casual jobs in the village like wedding maize to supplement my efforts. This is still not enough thus my children are often sent home due to pending arrears. My biggest worry is that my children risk dropping out of school. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
