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 ($469 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As we speak, I am planning to start selling second hand clothes a business I used to do a few years ago.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well because it has raised the living standards of the less fortunate in the society especially in our locality.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent of most of my transfer on floor renovation of my semi-permanent from a muddy floor to a cemented one in order to reduce effects of a dust on my family. The rest I spent payment of my son's school fees. Initially, I relied on my husband who works in a butchery and farming of maize and beans in order to pay school fees and feed my family at the same time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am. I was in my farm cultivating, when my neighbor called me to inform me that she has received the money. Since I had left my phone in the house, I ran fast to check out if mine also was sent. I could not believe my eyes, there was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately inform my family members and the all celebrated with joy. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my son. I am so happy for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have paid school fees for my son in secondary school. This was not easy before, I depend on small scale farming and poultry keeping project. This is my only source of income. I was not in a position to save some money for school fee. My son used to be sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting his performance. The lessons were on going and he could miss it since he was at home whenever he was sent. This was so demoralizing and stressful. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I was able to pay the school fees on time and my son was not sent home. This led to improvement of performance and build morale for my son. I am able also to work on my daily activities with peace of mind. I am so happy GiveDirectly has changed my living standard. It has given me hope to still work much higher to ensure that my son go go school and study well without being sent home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to purchase an ox. This is an investment because I will sell after some time at a higher price to earn income. I paid school fees for my son in secondary school. He was able to study well without being sent home like before. This enabled him to improve his performance. The rest of the money I bought, bedding, clothes and food for the family. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better investment for me. I have been wanting to own something of my own that I can depend on in times of need or emergencies. I plan to purchase a dairy cow which I intend to look after to give me more in the future. I'm looking at this as an investment, as it will help me in the future by selling it or its offspring. It will help me in paying school fees for my children whom I anticipate to be in secondary school in five years. This will cost me KES 50000. For the rest of the amount, I plan to cement my house. Currently, it's bare and it has a lot of dust which is quite uncomfortable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my fat is in the evening when my children are back from school. I get to ask about their day and we get to have meals together. My days are usually packed with farm activities leaving me tired at the end of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been a lack of finances. My husband who is the sole provider is a casual laborer. The little he earns goes to school, hence we are left with nothing to meet other needs. That is why I feel I have no investment which can help me in times of need. I'm just a peasant farmer and my area is dry, is very unreliable.
