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 ($519 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?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received these transfers in that I have been able to acquire building materials and pay workers to build a new house for me. I am the happiest person since with a nice built iron sheet house, I no longer worry when it rains nowadays and harvesting water from the roof for household use is an added advantage. Before, the previous mud house usually had dust and sometimes affected our health. This is a long gone story through the courtesy of GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
For relief donation such as food from the government or organisation that have over the years partnered with the government. It has always comes with the ideology of struggle for the fittest since the lucky once would get a packet of maize or rice and the rest of the donations remained for the top most government officials. However, GiveDirectly did its work different and in a best way through giving my community members money that would enabled them engage in greater projects according to the beneficiaries priorities. I do not see what GiveDirectly did wrong at its operation.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent 36,000 KES of my second transfer to complete the construction of my permanent house. I settled school arrears for my eight children at primary and two in secondary school respectively . I paid for repairs that were done on my taxi vehicle and bought food for my family's consumption with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I mainly depend on subsistence farming and to boost this, I purchased a pair of oxen through this money. Owning the pair of oxen to me makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life. Having them will enable me to do my farming early and timely since rainfall in our region is at times unpredictable thus demands urgent preparations for better yields. I will no longer be using hoes and also no more hiring, which I used to do during the planting season.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was doing my normal chores when I heard a message notification on my phone. When I checked the contents, I was greatly overjoyed on realizing that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectcly. I thanked them for this financial support as I rejoiced with my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 32000 of the first transfer on buying a pair of oxen. I resolved to buy these oxen because doing farming better was my biggest desire. Thus with this pair, I am assured of doing my farming early and timely since rainfall is sometimes unpredictable. I spent the remaining amount to purchase some building materials such as cement and blocks in order to renovate my house. I also paid the full cost of labour. At least it's now a semi-permanent one and its a great joy to me that I don't have to worry anymore in case of rainfall. I took the remaining amount to cater for my families needs such as foodstuffs and other households expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a farmer and for over 20 years that I have been ploughing my farm,I rely on the tradition methods of farming. This has not been very profitable for me because at most,I only manage to plough 2acres of my current 5 acres of land. Ploughing manually drags a lot and by the time I start planting, it is already late into the rainy seasons. The end result has always been very poor harvest.with this money,I will buy two ovens since I already have the ox plough at ksh.30,000 so that I can expand and improve my farming to incorporate other plants like cassava,cowpeas and wheat which are drought resistant.I will also buy 10 goats at ksh.25,000 to help me in future as my investment plan to continue educating my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am normally very happy in the evening when I return home to be with my family. I leave home very early by 5:00 am to head to the taxi shade where I am a driver. I work for the whole day and return home by 8:00 pm. Sharing at least a meal with my family as they narrate to me how their day had been really makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint to enable me educate my children is the biggest hardship that I face.My income of ksh.1500 from driving a taxi is the only income that my family of 12 relies on for food and other emergencies. The amount is so little to fend for school fees. As we speak, I owe the school ksh.25,000 which I am not sure when I will finish paying.This deficiency of finances has been the main cause for my son who was in form dropping out when he could no longer cope with the on and off situation anymore.I always wanted to educate my children up to college level but the reality that I am presently living is very sad for me since I fear they will end up struggling all their lives like I have been doing.
