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 ($502 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
GiveDirectly has enabled me to send my children to school whereby previously they have been staying home for some time. Thus us my pride because I am so sure they will be responsible people in the near future. I also managed to purchase some gits whereby they are now my assets which I can depend on just in case of any financial difficulties any for my children's education. I don't think if I would have made all these achievements if it was not for these transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GivDirectly had done everything so perfectly in various and I was so satisfied. We were given the money to handle all our basic needs without any conditions. I am now sleeping under an iron-roofed house which is well plastered and permanent. I also have some goats which will depend on just in case of any financial difficulties. I am so happy GD had enabled me to achieve most of my goals. There is nothing this Organisation failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of y second transfer on buying eight goats at a total of KES 28000. I then bought some iron sheets, nails for the completion of my house which I had initially started constructing using the first transfers. I also bought some beddings such as a bed and a mattress at a total of 10000. Previously I used to sleep on some old mats but we are now sleeping comfortably with my family like the rest. I then aid school fees for my children who are in primary a total of KES 5600. The remaining amount of money, I bought some other basic needs such as clothes and enough food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning a spacious permanent house is the biggest difference in my daily life. I have been longing to build a better and more spacious house but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. My previous house was a small, old grass-thatched hut that was in a pathetic condition. It even collapsed a few weeks before I was enrolled. My properties had to stay in the open which was very insecure and embarrassing at the same time. We were forced to seek for a place to sleep at my neighbors' and relatives' houses. This meant that my children couldn't even study. After the completion of our house, this problem was solved. I am glad that we now stay comfortable and my children have ample space and time to study.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when my phone vibrated. I quickly woke my son up to help me read what the message was all about. After checking, he told me it was from GiveDirectly they had sent my first transfer as they had promised during our community meeting. I was very happy because I knew the money would completely change my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to buying a few building materials. I bought building poles, iron sheets, and nails. This was purposely for the construction of a new house which I have been dreaming of having it for a long period of time. We used to share the same house with my children who were so uncomfortable. My older sons used to sleep in my neighbor's house and I always felt it was not safe for them since they had to walk long distances before they could reach that home. In addition to building a new house, I then cleared school fee arrears for my children. Some had dropped out of school because I was overwhelmed with responsibilities and I couldn't afford to pay their school fees. Apart from that, I hired a pair of oxen to plough my farm since it was the planting season. I then bought one goat then spent the remaining amount to buy enough foodstuffs for my family. We because we have been taking a single meal or even sleep hungry and I don't want my family to go through this life again
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to construct a modest house big enough to accommodate my whole family. The one we live in now is just a tiny one room where we sleep and cook, my children even have to sleep at their grandmother's house. Next, we will buy oxen and an ox plough so we can expand our farming by covering more acreage. We can also hire them out to our neighbors and make income from it. Lastly, we will pay part of the college fees for our son who completed his secondary education in 2017 but could not proceed further due to lack of finances.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since the short rains are about to begin, I spend most of my time preparing my land for farming. I do it very early in the morning and evening when it's not so hot. This allows me to rest in the afternoon making it the part of my day that I love most.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our income from charcoal making is unreliable and quite little compared to the needs we have that is housing, food and education. In a month we make an average of 1000 shillings which is not even guaranteed because we sometimes have to wait longer to get buyers. This has delayed most of our dreams that we desire to fulfill such as building a bigger house that can accommodate all of us and taking my first born son to college. Thus, financial instability is our biggest hardship.
