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 ($528 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference is that I am now hopeful of living in my own home. Through the transfers I got from Give Directly I have already bought the necessary building materials. Initially, I only used to depend on casual jobs. The money I got from these jobs was enough to buy basic needs. I used to save nothing towards this goal therefore there were slim chances of establishing my home. I am happy that soon I will be living with my family in our own homestead.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the fact that the grant issued by Give Directly is unconditional makes it so unique. One can use the money how best they feel without restrictions and again as I have said it is a grant hence you owe no one. Saying GD has done well will be an understatement. If I were a donor then I would replicate what GD has done to our community with confidence.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, I decided to upgrade my house. I had been living in a grass-thatched house for quite a long time and I felt it was the opportune time to transition. So I spent Kes 25,000 to upgrade to an iron-roofed house. The remaining amount I gave my daughter to pay her school fees to prevent her from being sent home for school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have made a big step in my life since the time I received my first transfer. I was able to buy a dairy cow and some chicken using part of this money. When the cow reproduces, my family will be getting milk for consumption and for sale to earn an income. I will be using this money to pay school fees for my children. Also, I will be selling some eggs and use the money to buy some basic needs like soap, salt and cooking fat for my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 6 am when I received a message notification on my phone. Since the message alert tone was loud, I woke up and decided to read its contents. I became so happy after realizing that GiveDirectly had finally sent me the money I had been waiting for anxiously. I knew that my plan of buying a dairy cow would soon be achieved.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My children's education has always been my priority since I do not want them to end up living a miserable life because they did not get a quality education. Due to this, I spent part of my first transfer to pay school fees for my son who had been sent back home. I am now because he was able to sit for his end-year examinations. Also, I bought a dairy cow worth KES 30000. I settled on this so that when it reproduces, I will be earning an income through milk sales. I will be using this money to pay for my children's education. I used the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family and nine chicken. I will be using eggs as our vegetables since it is nutritious and save the money I would otherwise use in buying vegetables.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I sold my two dairy cattle two weeks ago in order to pay school fees for my children; one in secondary school and another one in the university. Replacing my cattle by buying others is therefore what receiving this money means to me. I will then use the remaining part of my transfer to add more chicken to my poultry since selling poultry products has been a great source of income to me. This will ensure i add more savings in our local savings group hence i will be able to pay school fees for my children with less struggle in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my mornings getting feeds for my livestock after which i head to my farm to weed, transplant or harvest my crops. My happiness is always reflected in the afternoon after preparing midday meal for my family since its the time i rest under my cypress tree as i listen to local songs in my radio
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Struggling in paying school fees for my children has been the biggest hardship i have faced. I have one child studying in the university, one in secondary school and two in primary school. Sometimes i am forced to seek for loans from the bank which is more pressuring in terms of payment, something that has forced me to sell my piece of land as well as my livestock. This is the biggest challenge i face
