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 ($493 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?
My life has been so miserable from the time my spouse passed on some four years back. He was the breadwinner of our family and his demise was a great blow to us. I had no option than to pick all the responsibilities and I had to hustle from the casual jobs to at least earn a living. For all those years life has been stressful because even the house he left us with collapsed and we had to shelter under trees or in people's corridors especially when it rains. At some point it was so embarrassing becasue I had no privacy, my properties were stolen all was just a mess. Therefore having this spacious house has made my life so different and I will forever be proud to mention it. We are now sleeping comfortably with my children without having about the insecurities issues and the rains. Also, the goats that I own will serve as the assets that I will forever depend on especially for my children's education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well becasue the money was sent directly into my mobile phone and allowed me to choose what to buy. There were no restrictions at all provided the money is being used appropriately so that we can change our lives positively. I do not see any part that GD failed us so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some twenty pieces of iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails. I had intended to construct a new hose because the previous one had collapsed some months back. Being a widow and the breadwinner I couldn't afford to buy the materials considering my income was very low. During the rainy seasons, I was always rained on till dawn together with my children. Also, I bought livestock such as goats that will now serve as security in case of any emergency. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification around midday. When I checked the contents, I realised it was money from GiveDirectly. I felt happy having received a financial help from them.
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 been able to clear paying for a piece of land to dwell with my family. We were having some land disputes and I was not at peace dwelling at this place. After receiving the money, I topped it up with my savings and bought the land. I am happy and at peace since I am now building a house on my new piece of land.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a bigger portion of my first transfer to buy a piece of land at KES 30000. I was staying in a place that was not mine. We were in conflicts and my plan was to have my own land to live peaceful with my family. Thus acquiring this piece of land has enabled me to avoid the conflicts that have been arising every day with the neighbours. I spent the remaining amount amount to buy some building materials to build a new house on this piece of land. I bought some iron sheets to facilitate this.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. This is because at the moment, I live in a small structure that is covered with some pieces of iron sheets which I borrowed from my brother. I intend to construct a 2 roomed house once I receive this money and my plan is to spend 350 dollars to have this accomplished. The remaining amount will help me to cater to my children's school fees since they have huge arrears that have become a burden to to me and I am worried that they may remain at home once schools reopened.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up in the morning when healthy is something that gives me the feeling of happiness. It is also at this time when I have the opportunity to go out and do all means to get food for my children. Therefore, morning becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a widow with 4 children to take care of can be a big burden especially when there is no reliable source of income and this has forced me to engage in charcoal burning or aloe vera extraction. The earning from these activities are very low or inconsistent and this means failing to provide even some very basic needs like food and shelter for my family. Therefore, financial instability is generally the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
