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 ($509 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I managed to buy new beddings not only for myself but also for the kids. Once that was in place, I made sure that I paid enough school fees for them so that they don't get chased away from school due to lack of payments. The livestock that I bought using the cash would have never materialized were it not for the cash transfers from the organization. I also thank God that I was able to build a new house for my family and moved away from the small dilapidated house where we used to stay before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, I think it was a good idea to give community members unconditional transfers which they eventually used to change their lives by buying a number of things which they lacked the most in their lives.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the cash transfers on buying a motorbike for my son who now operates a motorbike rider in Mombasa county. The rest of the money went into paying school fees for my children so that they could get a quality education that would benefit them in the future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning cattle which I did not have before. This is an investment for me because I know that, when I sell them in a few year's time I will get a higher amount of money. Owning this cattle means a lot to me because I feel good like the rest of my neighbors who have some too.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I was ovewhelmed with joy. I had never received such a huge amount of money in my life and I knew that it was my turn to reach most of the goals that I had yeared for a long time.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing a dairy cow and two goats. I know that the animals will increase in number and I will be able to sell some of them and use the money to pay school fees for my children. I also bought maize in bulk that we are still eating during this hunger season. I finally gave my son 26500KES which he used in purchasing his own tuk-tuk. Although he has not fully paid the amount because he took in on hire purchase, I am glad that atleast he has his own tuk-tuk which he doesn't hire from someone. Seeing him being self dependent has brought a lot of joy in my heart because I am now sure that he will provide for his family better.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is an assurance that my children will be able to continue with their education.I am a widow without any stable source of income and for a long period of time,I have really been struggling with getting money to educate My children.I am very passionate about education because I have seen how the educated children of my friends have thrived in life after completing school and getting good jobs and I want the same for my children.With this money, I plan to start a general shop within our local market to generate for me enough income so that I can afford paying for my sons driving course and my daughter's secondary education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up in the morning, I start my day by cleaning the house and preparing breakfast for my children. Afterwards, I head to the farm to tend to my crops until noon when I return home to make lunch for my family. In the afternoon, I head out to the fields to collect firewood then go to the stream which is very far from home to fetch water.All this tasks are very tiresome more so for me because I am sickly thus by evening, I feel very happy after completing all my chores as it is the only time that I manage to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constrain is the biggest hardship that I am faced with.As a widow without any stable source of income, I find it very difficult to provide for my children with good education.Two of them had to drop out at primary level while two are normally on and off of school when they are chased away due to pending fee arrears.This pains me a lot because they are very bright children and due to my incapability to educate them,they are forced to settle for casual jobs at times to help me out yet I feel that as the parent,I am the one who should be providing for them.
