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?
This year I'm looking forward to saving up money so that I can eventually buy a plot of land which will be useful during the rainy season. I also plan on paying tuition for my four grandchildren since I am their guardian.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am grateful for the generosity of the organization because it elevated me from a state of poverty to where I am now where I feel is better than where I was before. The funds were completely life-changing and I'm looking forward to the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This time around when I received the money, I decided that I was going to use it on doing renovations to my house because it was almost collapsing. The renovations and labor cost me about KES 14,000. Thereafter I proceeded to spend the balance of KES 39,000 on buying myself two cows. This was my investment for the future and incase I ran into financial difficulty.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly that evening I received the transfer notification. I was at home with my family ready to partake in supper when I heard my phone ringing, an alert of a message. Since I could not read and comprehend the contents of the message, my helper confirmed to me that it was a Mpesa message and that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy upon hearing this good news. I could not wait to withdraw my transfer to buy a new bed and mattress to sleep on comfortably.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Stone crushing in quarries was my source of livelihood over the past years. I am no longer doing this job because of my age. Though the pay was little, it could take care of some of the basic needs in my household. However, I could not even think of changing my beddings during my active years though they were old and worn out. I was just using the old traditional beds with worn-out mats as beddings and could not offer a comfortable sleep. I thank GiveDirectly because currently, I am sleeping peacefully on a modern bed with a new mattress, courtesy of the transfer. Having a good place to sleep on is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband had been hospitalised after suffering from a stroke and he needed prompt medication. He was almost paralysed thus I took a larger portion of the transfer to pay for his medication. He is doing quite well now having received timely medication through the transfer. Apart from the medication, I also spent Ksh. 7000 on buying two goats which I am keeping on my homestead. My plan is to invest more in livestock which I can readily rely on in case of financial emergencies. I also spent Ksh,19000 on buying two new beds and a mattress and replaced the ones that I have using for many years. Lastly, I did some shopping for household basic needs like foodstuffs that could take us for a month.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition is to buy livestock when I receive the transfers. I have been envying neighbors who possess a herd of cattle that becomes their saving grace when there is an emergency. I have the responsibility of taking care of my two grandchildren and most of the time are sent home for school fees. I intend to use KES 15,000 to buy goats, and KES 30,000 to purchase cows. Having goats and cows will be easier for me to sell to pay fees and buy food when the need arises. With the balance to clear the school fees of two grandchildren and ordering new bedding for this, I will be already fulfilled my dream.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A few months ago I was suffering from a sexually transmitted disease that took time to heal. As we speak am well this gives me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Insufficient food in my household is the chronic challenge that I am currently facing. As you know the economic activity in this area is charcoal burning most of the time the demand for products becomes low due to the more supply in the market. For us who depend on it entirely, we end up lacking our daily income and thus are affected by hunger.
