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 ($525 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to buy some timber and iron sheets to use in building a house for my family.I decided to build a more spacious house for my family that can accommodate us comfortably. I spent the remaining amount to pay school fees for my daughter who had been sent back home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly uplifted everyone's life in different ways and I do not see what they did not do well.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it would have been had I not received the transfers because I have been able to start building a spacious and more permanent house for my family.I am hoping that I will be completing it soon and I will be able to host even visitors any time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend my first transfer on building a house. I had started a smaller house using my little income from farming but could not finish it because of a lack of money occasioned by livestock farming failure. My cows died mysteriously of a disease one by one until I had none. It was devastating to know that I haad no more milk to sell to provide for my family. This was the only source of my income. So when I received the money I continued to build the house to completion. I bought roofing sheets and wood. I also paid school fees for my child who is in her final year of secondary school. I then bought clothes for everyone in my village. I then bought food for the household.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message early in the morning. I was so happy that the promise had finally come to pass. I knew then that I had my chance of making it in life. I had so much that I had desired including a nice house. Thank you so much GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Completing the house and paying school fees for my children are the biggest sources of joy and comfort in my life! I used the larger part of the transfer on building the house that had stalled. This had been the most important project that I have undertaken. I needed a family house that we can enjoy together with my family. I am so glad that my children have enough room in our compound that came with the completion of the house. Additionally, we have our children attending school as required since all the school fees have been.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since last year,a strange gum disease affected me.My teeth keep falling off and since then I have already lost four of them on my lower jaw.The remaining ones are also not stable enough and it is always a problem to chew food.I have not had enough money to be able to visit a specialist and therefore have been forced to live with the pain.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.After a tough farm work day and being all alone at home while my children are at school,they finally arrive in the evening.There is always laughter when they are around and we get to tell stories and eventually share our evening meal.This makes me very happy
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family moved into this village three years ago .When we arrived we built a small house and a few months later decided to expand it.While the construction work was going on,a strange liveatock disease killed all our cows one after the other.I have children who still require milk and as well,the sale of milk was a source of income for us.When this happened,our focus now had to shift from the house to buying two cows since this was a priority.Since then the house has remained incomplete.Receiving this money therefore means that I will be able to complete building our family house