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
53010 KES ($347 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to establish a garment and textile business in my community using the money I saved from the transfers. My goal is to grow and eventually own a large store, but for now I will be operating my business from home. I will be able to secure my sons' future by using this business to support their education and well-being. As a mother, all I want is to watch my kids happy and not be without the necessities of life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
As it stands, GiveDirectly is operating flawlessly. Since each of us is unique, our wants are all met in unique ways as humans. When money is involved, it allows people to prioritize their demands based on their level of stress, going from the most to the least important. That being said, I don't think they should alter anything and should just carry on as is.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband doesn’t have his own piece of land, and we therefore live on his grandparents’ land. Our dream has always been to own a piece of land we can call home, and if anything happens to us, our two sons will have a place they own as their home, but we could not realize this as we both did not have a stable source of income. We are manual laborers on people's farms, which is also seasonal. My parents, on the other hand, were on the verge of taking me back home because my husband had not yet paid any dowry. I love my husband so much, and the thought of me being sent back home was really depressing. GiveDirectly came to our rescue and made our dreams come true. They swept us off our depressing issues, and this was so overwhelming. On the second transfer, I spent $320 and completed paying for a ½-acre piece of land in our village, and I am hopeful that soon enough we will move to our own home. I gave my husband $100 for the dowry payment because I did not want to go back to my parents. I also spent $30 on a she goat to add on to the two goats that I already have. It is believed that the breed that I bought gives birth twice a year. I am therefore hopeful that they will multiply so that I can sell some of them to pay school fees for my children and invest in business. The rest of the transfer went into food and savings.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($375 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember it being exactly 2 PM when I returned from a community meeting, exhausted but hopeful, only to find a new message notification on my phone. Upon checking, my heart raced as I realized I had received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. A surge of joy and relief washed over me, and I immediately shared the incredible news with my husband, his face mirroring my excitement. As I sat down to contemplate the possibilities, I couldn't help but think of the new bedding I desperately needed. For far too long, I had endured restless nights in a shabby environment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference since I received the money is that I now have goats. I settled for them because they can thrive in my region, and their ability to reproduce quickly surpasses that of other domestic animals. It's truly remarkable how these goats have transformed my family's prospects. I believe they will serve as a valuable safety net in case of emergencies and play a pivotal role in my children's educational journey. For years, it has been an uphill battle for my husband to provide for our family due to his lack of a steady income. The addition of these goats to our household offers a glimmer of hope. As they multiply, their offspring can be sold or traded, ensuring a constant source of income that will help us cover daily expenses and secure a brighter future for our children. The unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly have been a lifeline, and now, with these goats, we have a tangible asset that promises stability and opportunities we could only dream of before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With $550 in hand, I immediately set out to address some long-standing issues. First and foremost, my husband and I were tired of living on his grandfather's land, constantly fearing eviction. We decided to invest $16,000 in purchasing building materials—iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails—to construct our own house on a piece of land we bought for $150 as a down payment. The thought of having a place to call our own filled us with pride and a sense of security we had never known. Finally, we could create a stable and comfortable home for our growing family. With the house construction underway, I also utilized $70 of the money to buy goats, which I saw as a long-term investment. These goats would serve as a financial safety net, allowing us to sell them in case of any unexpected financial constraints. Additionally, I used $120 of the cash to buy a comfortable bed and mattress, replacing the traditional bedding that had caused us discomfort for so long. I no longer woke up tired every morning, and it was a small but significant improvement in our quality of life. Lastly, with the remaining funds, I ensured that my family of four had enough food on the table. My husband, as a casual laborer with an inconsistent income of $5, needed all the support he could get, and this cash transfer was a lifeline that allowed us to build a better future for our family.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of four members and we all live in a one room house with grass roof which leaks during rain season. It also lacks privacy and not spacious for the family. My husband does casual jobs earning approximately $40 per month which caters for food and school fees. I am just a house wife and lacks the capacity to build a spacious house for the family. I will use $700 to build a two room house for the family and restore my dignity in the community. I will also buy ten goats as an investment worthy $300. This will help me raise school fees for my two sons once they join secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last week my husband got a job and earned $50 . This money helped do shopping and even cooked chapati. We had last taken chapati on 1st of January 2023. The family and I felt very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband does casual jobs and I am just a house wife. He earns approximately $40 which caters for food and school fees. He sometimes miss job and that result to the family going without food.