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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($512 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($534 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the two oxen has made my life to be more different so far. The oxen have helped me a great deal in improving my farming practices. I do not have my own farm but I normally lease land for farming. I now will have to meet the cost of leasing alone and this will make farming for me much more easy and affordable. By so doing, I will have more farm produce and plenty of food for my family as I sell the surplus produced. The oxen will also give me extra income from my neighbors since I will be helping them till their lands at a fee.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 am when I heard my phone vibrating. I was so shocked since I was not used to receiving a message at that time of the night. But I was curious, so I decided to check what the message was all about, I could not believe what I saw because it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so overwhelmed knowing that I will achieve a lot with the money that I had just received from GiveDirectly. For a moment, I could not figure out exactly what I was going to start with probably due to excitement but I later settled down and came up with a clear plan on how I was going to spend the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to buy two oxen of KES 22000. This will enable me to improve my farming activities and even plant my own farm in time. Farming in time will ensure that I reap maximum yield and therefore have plenty of food for a longer period of time. I then bought 4 bags of cement, brights, and sand to construct a dam, which I previously had. With the remaining amount of money, I started paying for a plot so that I can construct my own house in it. I am looking forward to completing my new house since I have felt the pinch of staying in a rental house. It is so costly while the money used in paying rent could have been saved for other meaningful family investments. Moreover, the rental house that we stay in is too small for me and my four children and this makes us so uncomfortable staying in it.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having been a tenant for more than 12 years now, I feel that it's time to have a place I can call my own. I miss the freedom that comes with ownership and that is why I will spend most of my transfers in building a house for me and my 3 children with whom I currently share one tiny room whose rent we sometimes struggle to pay. With the remaining cash, I will purchase oxen and an ox plough so I can expand my farming thus ensuring enough food supply in my household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is because my pupils in class are still very sharp and attentive unlike in the afternoon when they seem dull and tired and do not grasp much of what is being taught.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After losing my husband more than 15 years ago, life has never been the same. I had to assume all the responsibilities which has not been easy even after landing a job as a nursery school teacher at a local primary school. The little pay I get from the parent's contribution that is very inconsistent cannot take care of all expenses such as food, rent and education. Severally, my landlord has threatened to throw me out after failing to pay rent for more than 3 months.
