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 ($467 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?
I did a hairdressing course but I was not able to complete it since my mother became sick and I was the only person who would take care of my younger siblings as my father took care of her at the hospital. After completing this course, I will be able to open a salon so that I can be using my daily income to support my children and my sick mother.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
There are some things that I never imagined that we would ever own in my life. One of those things is a dairy cow since we had sold all that we had when my mother was sick. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible not only for me but also for other people in my village who had lost hope in life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I spent it to buy a dairy cow worth KES 45000, spent KES 5000 to pay school fees for my son, and used the remaining amount on food. We decided on buying a dairy cow as a family because we had sold all the livestock that we owned when we needed money for my mother's treatment. After she recovered, we had to spend at least KES 120 daily on milk since she was advised by the doctors to take at least two glasses of milk in a day. This has been expensive for us since I depend on any available casual work and I have to be at home most of the time to attend to my mother.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was home alone when I received a message notification from Givedirectly. I was so excited since I had been anxiously waiting for the cash transfer. I had to withdraw the money the following day after informing my spouse.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow that gives us surplus milk for consumption. With time, I will be able to sell so that I can earn an extra income for us to cater to our daily household items.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the long to-do list that we had discussed with my spouse before receiving the transfer, it was now time to implement the plans. With Kshs.38,000 we purchased a dairy cow because we use to buy milk daily which was so expensive since we didn't have a stable income. With the acquisition of this, we have now cut the cost of milk expenses which will allow us to use the money to buy other needs. In addition, we also bought three sheep at a cost of Kshs.9,000 which will be an addition to our livestock and we can also sell whenever need arises. With the remaining amount, we spent on buying clothing and foodstuff for our household members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My mother has been ill. She is suffering from throat cancer .It has been expensive raising funds for her medication. We have used alot of resources which has stalled so many projects here at home . Even as we speak she still attends her reviews in MP-Shah hospital. Before my mother became ill we were finishing up on the house. My intention is to finish up the house ,the ceiling part of it and a few fittings. It will cost me approximately KES 90000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Every day I tend to my farm and livestock. At times I do hairdressing at home. Some clients come to my home where I attend to them. My happiest part of the day is in the morning, it's a privilege waking up to a new day full of hope and Gods grace. Seeing each new day as it dawn is a great feeling. I don't take it for granted since I know other people may not be fortunate to see the new day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a single parent . I separated with my husband sometimes in 2012. He used to beat me up alot ,at some point he threaten to kill our first born son just because he was not the biological father. Before marrying me he had accepted to take care of the boy as the father but later changed his heart and became violent. Being a single parent raising up 4 kids on my own is not an easy thing. I hardly meet all their needs.whenever my children are send home for fees it pains me alot .
