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 ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Next month,I am looking forward to searching for casual jobs in a quarry and save the wages towards opening a local green groceries store. Earning income from this store means that I will be able to support my husband with family responsibilities.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is empowering the less fortunate in the society by giving us unconditional cash transfers. This money has transformed our village in so many ways and I can't imagine about how many people you have changed their lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I was enrolled in the program, my family had no roof over our heads and go from one home to another in the neighborhood looking for somewhere to sleep. Abject poverty is what became stabling block towards achieving our goal of living a decent life. Since I am a housewife, I don't bring anything on the top of the table and my husband who does general casual jobs in the village earns an average daily wage of $1. With such a small income, we couldn't afford to build a house after our mud walled grass thatched house collapsed. Since I was able to build a temporary one bedroom house with the first transfer, it couldn't accommodate both my husband, our five children and I. I spend $200 of my second transfer to build three of my children a semi permanent mud walled two rooms, $140 to buy two beds and mattresses for them, $90 to buy seats and the balance to buy food. I'm am so thankful to GiveDirectly for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just gotten home from fetching water and then went to check my phone to see who tried to contact me. It was then that I saw a message confirming that I had received my transfer. This caught me by surprise, as in my entire life, never had I imagined or even planned to get such an amount of money. I was ecstatic. I told my children not to be worried about getting food that day because I now had the money and we rejoiced together. However, it was late, and there were no m-Pesa shops around. I talked to the shopkeeper to allow me to buy some flour on credit. Since I was not sure if she will agree to my request, I informed her that I had received my funds from give directly but could not withdraw. She consented. I went ahead to prepare a meal for my children. The next day I woke up early and went to withdraw the funds.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I believe there has been a great difference in my life ever since I started receiving these funds from give directly. So many people would despise and look down upon me because of my financial status. To improve it, I started working on building a new house and insuring my children go to school. I also got to clear my debts and I bought my family some sustenance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family (my husband, and six children) live in a very small house that looks like it is on the verge of collapse. For safety, when I got the funds from give directly, I started saving up for the construction of a new house. Already, I have bought some materials (iron sheets and wood) so when I get my next transfer, I'll start working on the project. As a housewife, I also needed to open a grocery store business so I could keep myself busy and help with the family bills, since the funds are not enough, I opted to save up for it too. The business will help boost the finances my husband gets as a traditional palm wine brewer. It has been quite challenging for him to support our six children. As in the past, there was a time when they were forced to stay home for 2 weeks due to school fees arrears. It took the intervention of the village elders who helped me raise KES 3000 so they could be allowed back to class. Additionally, using the funds, I got to settle the debt I had of KES 2600 at the shop where we buy most of our nourishments.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family is spending the nights outside. Literally. I do not need to show you around as my house is as good as transparent. All the walls have fallen off and what remains barely gives us privacy or security. I do not think my growing children deserve the sight of a naked mother. We just take a bath and dress up outside in broad daylight because after all, where else would we do so? I will put up a house without a second thought and I hope this money is enough. We deserve decency.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Have you seen the state we live in? Do my children look healthy? I am not happy. I have not been happy for years, leave alone months. My family is malnourished, our house fell apart, my husband cannot seem to find work despite trying. This life is dealing me one bad card after another. There is nothing to be positive about. I am weary.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Money! Did I say money loud enough? I have five children, the eldest being nine years. I live in a shack. I am jobless and my husband takes up casual jobs in Malindi. We barely have money even for food. I have one tiny bed that does not have beddings. Every night, I'm torn between which child should spend the night on this bed because they cannot all fit at a go. I let them sleep in turns through the week for some comfort from the floor. I wonder if there is more to life than this misery. Lack of money is the actual heartbreak, everything else is irrelevant.
