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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Living in a good house is every parent's dream and when my house was not in good condition, I was not a happy parent at all. I would look happy but deep down my heart, I was not happy. I was not providing my family with the best I should have and was failing. This is why I ensured I used my transfer to build a decent house for my family so that I may avoid the shame I have been going through in the last two years.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Having walked into the village and educated us about the program was the best part of the program. Creating awareness to the people helped so many people accept the transfers. They should continue the same way.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer in buying building materials such as iron sheets, timber and nails which I have used in putting up a decent and bigger house which I have been dreaming of. It has been my dream for the past two years but I could not have achieved it since I did not have the resources then to build a house of my preference. It was still a plan until GD came to my life when it became a reality through the transfers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own goats. I decided to keep them in my compound because of various reasons. First, they take less time to mature compared to other domestic animals, secondly, their food is readily available, they require less supervision finally they are cheaper. Currently, some have started reproducing, this is making me more hopeful. My plan is to start a business of selling some of their offsprings once they mature to the local market. The money that I will be getting will help me in sending back my children to school because some had dropped out of school due to fees arrears. The remaining amount of money that I will be getting from the sale of the offsprings, I will buy some more goats this will make me wealthier. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3 am when I heard my phone vibrating. I decided to check what the message was all about and who had sent it at such an hour. Only to realize it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy knowing I will accomplish most of my dreams.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying four goats at KES 12,000. I settled in rearing them because they have numerous benefits. I also bought a bed and a mattress, previously I used to sleep on a small bed without a mattress. I was so uncomfortable and I always had some back pains. I also bought some building materials such as bricks and sand to renovate my house. It's previously condition was not good at all. It was almost falling because of the weak mud walls. The remaining amount of money I bought some enough foodstuffs because it's been long since we could harvest.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a relief to my husband who has been struggling daily to meet the needs of the family. At the moment, he works as a casual laborer in Mombasa, and his income is hardly enough to cater for basic necessities like food, education and even clothing. What worries him a lot is the late payment. Sometimes he works even for more than two months without salary, and it has derailed most of our operations here at home. We have incurred a lot of debt here, and people have branded as liars, a situation that is so demeaning. Therefore once we receive our transfers, we plan to start an income-generating activities, and according to our capabilities, poultry farming is what we are going for. And apart from that, we plan to invest in goat rearing. This is a venture that is most viable here given that the climatical conditions favor such practice. Having those key projects up and running be a great boost in raising and educating our children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because I wake up feeling energized. It is also that moment where I do my household chores. Having most of the day's activities accomplished in the morning gives me ample time during the other parts of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Been forcefully married at a tender age of twelve is very traumatizing to any child. This is a situation that befell me when my parents selfishly gave me away just because of dowry. It is a predicament that almost every girl child faced during our time. What followed was every worse, I was not able to conceive, and as expected there was a lot of look down on me. My in-laws openly disrespected me. They were even pressurizing my husband to get another wife. Fortunately, he stood by me. We visited every hospital seeking for treating, and it was 15 years of agony before God blessed us with our first born child. It is my desire to never let my child go through what I faced back then. I will use my transfers prudently so that I can educate her to the highest level of education possible.
