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 ($437 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?
In the coming year, I wish to be able to build a new house in the piece of land that I bought with GiveDirectly money. I plan to do this by saving enough money from the casual job that I rely on. I also want to take advantage of the fact that my children are still at lower primary school and that I do not need to pay a lot of money for their school fee yet.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving aid in form of cash. This is a gamechanger for them since everyone has an opportunity to choose what they want to spend the money on. The fact that people are left to make decisions on their own is also very important. Looking at how different people utilized the money differently is so heartwarming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was married before where I had three children with the father of my children. We later separated due to irreconcilable differences and I came back home. My father gave me a house where I stay in to date. The piece of land that my father owner was however very small and yet I had brothers who needed to have a share in it. When I received the second transfer of $530, I combined it with $450 from the second transfer and used this to buy my own piece of land. I now feel very happy that my children will finally have a place to call home. All along, we have lived like we were squatters but at least we will now be able to build a home and stay comfortably in it just like everyone else.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($464 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 thrilled and thankful to receive the first transfer from GiveDirectly. It was around 8:02 PM when I realized I had received a message bearing the good news. I had to share the news with my children, who were equally excited. I collected it the following morning at the nearby shopping center.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the relief I have at the moment concentrating on my work other than the casual labor I had been doing. Even though I can still do casual labor, I am happy that I am running my projects alongside.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been living with my three children on a small portion of land beside my parents. All that time, I had been moving out to lease some other pieces to till and plant to provide for my children. In addition, I could not construct a permanent structure since I have always known that I will move. On receiving the first transfer, I set aside KES 45000 and currently looking for a piece of land to buy. I also purchased some foodstuff worth KES 4250, a water container, and utensils at KES 13000, and used the remaining on new pairs of clothes and some in paying their school fees. I am grateful and hope that I will soon find a piece of land to buy so that I can start the construction with the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I separated from my husband three years ago and came back home together with my three children. We stayed with my parents for two years until when my father constructed a house for me and my children. Receiving this money will mean freedom and changing the lives of my children. I plan on buying a piece of land, building a house, and leaving home to start life afresh. I have had the desire to move out but I was not able because I lacked sufficient money to actualize that desire. I also plan on buying a dairy cow once I have a place to live so that it can be a source of income for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful that I was able to get casual jobs on people's farms because of the good weather that favored farming this year. This enabled me to buy food for my children without having to struggle so hard.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Saving money is a big challenge for me because I cannot do so. I rely so much on my neighbors to give me jobs to do at their homes so that I can provide for my children. I am grateful for this however, the money cannot allow me to buy food for my children and save some for my plans hence the desire to use the transfers to actualize my plans.
