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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
If I get kshs 110,000 , I plan to start a poshomill business. This is because poshomill are scarcely available in this area. I'm looking at a daily income of kshs 2,500 since market is readily available. I also plan to start a kiosk business. I'll need a capital of kshs 80,000.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly is doing one thing well; that is eradicating poverty in my village. You have helped me to solve a lot of my financial problems. On the area of improvement is that you continue us money until we are fully stable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had great plans for my second transfer, unfortunately it didn't go as planned. When the money was sent, my wife fell ill and I spent kshs 20,000 for her medication. She is still ailing and I hope she'll recover. My daughter who is in form 3 was at home due to school fees balance and so I cleared her balance of kshs 15,000. My son used to sleep on a wooden mat, I decided to buy a 6"×3.5" mattress for him. I bought it at kshs 6,000. I'm glad that he can now sleep comfortably. Due to the on going droughts I decided to restock my food stuffs, so I bought 3 bags of maize @ kshs 4,700.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the bush cutting down tree poles which I usually sell to earn living when I received a message. Upon opening it, I found that it was a cash transfer message and I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Then, I was going through a lot of difficulties and I had pending bills to pay. I was so happy as I knew I was going to sort them out.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, my daughter would miss clinics and this made her health condition to deteriorate because she missed her medication. For last month and this month, I have managed to take her to clinic and I can see her health is improving. I have also been able to afford three meals per day and she at least have something to eat before she takes her medication.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sell tree poles to earn living and being the sole provider of the family, life has always been a struggle because I have so many responsibilities and the much that I can earn a day is KES 100. Two years ago, my daughter suffered stroke and life became more tougher due to medical bills as I have to take her to clinic every month. Although my goal was to make sure that my daughter doesn't miss clinic when I was enrolled, I also wanted to build a house for my first born son whom we have been living with in our tiny house. It was so uncomfortable for both of us and him because he's now grown and needed his privacy. I spend KES 17000 to build him a single semi permanent room, KES 6000 for clinical fees for my daughter and the balance for food and other basic needs. I bought enough food for the month and we have never slept hungry ever since I received my first transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
All I think about when I receive this money is my children. I have four children here at home; two are children with special needs while the other two are in primary school awaiting to join the next level of their studies in April. This therefore means that I have to split the money to fit their needs. I will use 25,000 KES for school fees and another 25,000 for medication and other needs for my two children with special needs. One of them uses drugs which cost me 2,500 KES every month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have had nothing much to be happy about but the fact that we had some rain in December really brought some hope in my life. My herd of goats had been reduced by half because of the drought. The rains helped because the remaining seven are now doing well. Selling a goat or two for an emergency need really helps. I really value those goats.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am facing is living with three members of my family with special needs; my wife and two children. It is a challenge for several reasons. First, I have to do duties that my wife could have otherwise helped me. This includes fetching water because she uses a wheel chair. My children need special care. Balancing this with looking for income becomes a big burden. I am always stressed stressed because I cannot even afford to take my children to a special school.
