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 ($490 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I never thought of owning a piece of land as a lady without any reliable source of income. Also, I am happier and more hopeful of a brighter future following the purchase of another cow that will provide us with for consumption and sale. Indeed, the transfer has lots of impacts on my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in ensuring fairness through the provision of equal amounts of money and the same number of transfers to each household in the village. This attracts lots of satisfaction and happiness among the villagers. Thus, I do not find anything that GD does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent some of my second transfer on buying a piece of land in our neighborhood because we have been living and farming on only 0.3 acres of land. Besides, I purchased a cow using some of the money. The cow is a great investment because it will provide us with milk for consumption and sale. Finally, I used some of the money to buy more foodstuffs for my family since we were almost running out of food. Thanks, GD for the financial boost.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($518 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received transfers from Give Directly I felt so happy. I knew indeed the dream of having a new kitchen and good clothes for my children shall come true. I was over joyed as I had never gotten such an amount before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning three goats and a ironed roofed kitchen is the biggest difference in my daily life. I could not have managed to purchase any of these animals if I was to buy them at my cost. I thank GiveDirectly for their financial support has enabled me to achieve this. These are to me assets that I can depend on in case of any financial hardship. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number soon. Apart from the livestock, I also built a good kitchen. I am happy that we have a good place to cook our food and also act as a bedroom for our children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials for construction of a new kitchen. I then bought three goats as the living assets that I can lean own in case of any financial difficulties. In addition, I bought some new clothes for my children because their previous ones had worn out. The remaining amount of money I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family and some other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since I am a house wife, I have been aspiring to run a shop business to keep me busy and to supplement what my husband gets as a mason. My husband gets around 40 USD a month working as a mason which is not enough to fend for the entire family. I am planning to use 300 USD of the first transfer to build and equip the shop with necessary goods I intend to sell. Therefore, receiving this money mean I will be able to keep myself busy and at the same time own a business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. My day starts by herding my cow during morning hours. In the afternoon I tether my cow and attend to my garden of approximately 0.2 of an acre where we have planted maize to weed and to attend to my small kids in between. Its in the evening after husband comes home with food that lightens and completes my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of capital to start a business. My husband gets meagre income of approximately 40 USD a month which is not enough to fend for the entire family and to save. I feel so much wasted since I stay at home doing nothing for my family. My wish now is to get another source of income and to educate my children through university and realize their dreams.
