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 ($482 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving this transfer, my family lived in a small grass thatched house. It wasn't big enough to accommodate my husband, six children and myself. There was no sense of privacy and it was a sad situation. We, however, had no other choice because we did not have enough money to build a better house. My husband is a casual labourer and most of the money he makes goes towards buying food for the family.
This, however, is no longer the situation. Our new house is spacious and accommodates all of us.
I have also paid for my children's school fees, and no longer worry about whether they'll be sent home from school because of lack of fees. Our lives have drastically changed. Thanks GD!
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is fair in its functions and has improved my financial situation a great deal by giving me this cash transfer.
In my experience, I haven't come across anything that GiveDirectly has not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is my desire to raise my six children well and ensure they are well-educated. I was therefore happy to receive this transfer from GD. I used KES 11,500 to pay their school fees so that they have a chance to learn. I also used KES 41,650 to purchase materials including timber and concrete. I was able to build a modern house. It makes me glad that I can now provide good shelter for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($508 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still recall just like the other day when I heard my mobile phone notifying me of a new message. 10 AM when I was from the dam then I heard my cellphone. I asked my son to help me read what the message was all about. On checking, he told me that it was from Segovia Technology. They had finally sent my first transfer as they had promised during our community meeting. I felt and blessed for receiving such a great support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
A lot has been happening ever since I received my transfers but the fact that I now have a decent house makes the biggest difference in my daily life. The initial one was very small and with eight family members, it could not accommodate us all. Therefore some of us had to seek shelter from relatives which were sometimes felt like a burden to them. I have been aspiring to have a better one but since I relied on the odd jobs with low wages, I couldn't afford to purchase the needed materials. Most of the days the little I could earn was hardly enough for the daily bread. This made me even lose hope in life since I never thought I would sleep in such a conducive environment anytime soon. From the bottom of my heart, I will forever be grateful to GiveDirectly for restoring the joy in our lives as a family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some bedding such as a new bed and two mattresses at a total of KES 15000. These were to replace the traditional bed made of ropes which I always experience lots of discomforts and pains every morning. Also, I bought building materials like iron sheets, building poles, nails, and timber. This was for the construction of a new house because the initial one was single-roomed. My children had to sleep at their grandmother's houses which were also small. Also, I paid school fees for my two children who joined school recently. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for the family
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a happy and healthy family to me. This is because my current house is just braving the heavy rains and strong wind that we are experiencing during this rainy season. My family has lost happiness and most of the time my children are suffering from flu-like diseases that often occur due to cold. My plan once I receive this money is to spend a better portion of my transfers ($700) to construct a better and smooth finished house that will guarantee me a happy life. The remaining amount approximately $300 will help me to buy 5 goats and also to start vending vegetables that will act as my long-term investment projects. Through these projects, I will be able to sustain the needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
During the day; morning and afternoon hours, I usually feel so bored because of the shame I get from being idle. I feel like having turned to a laughing stock to my neighbors and I always want to be away from their faces. When evening approaches, I feel relieved and this is the time I usually feel happy. Therefore, the evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a housewife has made me lack the happiness that I expected in marriage. I always feel ashamed seeing my fellow women engaged in small businesses that earn them income, while I just depend on my husband's casual jobs. I am now confident that this problem will soon be solved since I will be engaged in doing my own business. Hence, the financial instability has, therefore, been the biggest hardship that I ever faced in my life.