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 ($442 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?
The new goal that I have now is to focus on horticulture farming. I will be planting three months' crops. This will enable me to get enough food for the family and even sell the surplus to earn an income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the people in the community to improve their standard of living. Most of the people have built better and decent houses and some have started a small businesses and are doing well. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 15,000 on purchasing extra materials and completed the construction of the house that I started using the previous transfer. Currently, we are living in a decent and more spacious house unlike before. Apart from that, I purchased a heifer for KES 22,000. This will enable me to cut the cost of buying milk which is very expensive when it reproduces. I spent KES 10,000 on school fees for my children in various schools. They are now studying well without being disturbed like before. The remaining amount of money I spent on seeds, food, and household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone for the burial of one of my family members and in the process, I got a confirmation message that I had received some money from Give Directly. I felt happy but I could not show it because of the crowd. Later when I went back home I shared the news with my spouse. She was happy with the news, and we thanked God for the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a motorcycle taxi operator but the work is challenging due to climatic conditions, high competition, and road accidents. Being the main income earner I had to strain so that I could fend for my family. Leaving the house very early in the morning before my children woke up and coming back late at night while they had slept was the norm. I never got time with my children and only got updates on their welfare from their mum, yet we stayed in the same house. I am glad this is not the case anymore because I was able to meet most of the family's needs with the first transfer hence I do not strain. Currently, I rarely go to work on weekends nor do I leave the house early and get back late. I, therefore, have enough time with my children, and they are happy we spend time together. This is the biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers from Give Directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of the first transfer on both building materials (timber, iron sheets, and nails) and building labor. KES 30000. We only had a single room where we had to squeeze in because we did not have any option. I also bought a dairy cow for rearing at KES 19000 hoping that in the future once it gives birth I will not only have an additional cow but will not budget for milk too. The rest of the money I spent on both food pieces of stuff and clothing for my children to replace the old clothes that they had outgrown.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better and comfortable house for my two grow up sons. I do Motorcycle taxi and subsistence farming as my main source of income. Averagely, I earn around KES 500 per day and it is only enough to feed my family of 6 and pay school fees for my children in primary level. I will spend around KES 30,000 to purchasing building materials and cost of labour. Having your children sleeping in a comfortable and secure house especially teenage children gives me a peaceful mind as a parent. The rest of the money I will use in refurnishing my current house and invest in other generating income like dairy farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Resuming my motorcycle taxi after a minor accident in the last two months is what have brought joy in my life. Though I have fully recovered, I am happy the little I get is sustaining my family basic needs. Also, I can pay school fees for my children unlike when I was sick.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenges we are facing currently is financial constraints. I do motorcycle taxi as my source of income. Two months ago I was involved in a minor accident that lead me stop working for a month. Though, I have resumed my bussiness, I cannot generate much income like before. Before, I used to earn around KES 500 per day and now it is around KES 300 per day because I have not fully recovered. This is little against my daily expenditure of around KES 500.
