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 ($529 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?
In the past, I couldn't afford to buy my own livestock. what I was left with was to admire my neighbor's livestock. Today, my story has changed. I dance a different tune of music courtesy of GiveDirectly. I have three cows and one of them has given birth. I enjoy having my own milk. On the other hand, I am at peace seeing my children go to school after settling the lump- sum arrears which they had back in their respective schools. Thanks once again to Givedirectly .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly did well through donating money to its beneficiaries that was in lump -sum . This has lead to and improvement in the majority of peoples lives who were blessed to have benefited . For instance the presence of grass thatched houses have been totally eradicated.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy two cows in order to expand my herd of livestock which I made it happen with the first bunch of money I had received. I am so happy and proud that I own livestock which I would just admire from my neighbor's before . I renovated the cracked wall of my house which was as a result of the heavy rain . I paid school fees for my child who is in secondary school and restocked my business with the remaining amount.
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 livestock that I bought using the transfers from GiveDirectly has totally changed my life. I decided to keep the cows because I will be getting free milk for my family consumption. This meant we would never sleep hungry, it would instead supplement our daily meals. Previously I used to buy milk from neighbors which were very costly. Sometimes I could not afford it and my kids would go to school without tea in the morning. This used to frustrate me a lot. Secondly, when the milk will be produced in large quantities, I will be selling them to my neighbors. This will be my additional income which will greatly improve my living standard. With the goats, since they reproduce faster, I believe they will increase in number at a high rate. I will start the business of selling the offsprings in the local markets so that I can send my children to school and take care of other basic needs without straining.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I was preparing to go to do my casual jobs as usual. I then heard a loud vibration from my phone. I quickly checked its contents and realized it was from GiveDirectly. They had debited my first transfer into my account. I happily called my spouse and shared the good news. I remember canceling all my day's activities because of the joy I had after receiving the message. I could barely concentrate on anything due to the excitement. Give Directly made my day that morning
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buying two cows and two goats. As a farmer, I have been having a dream of having them but due to my financial status, I could not afford to buy them. I made it my first priority immediately I got the means to buy them. I then cleared school fees for my children. This has been stressing me for a while because my children used to be sent home almost every day. This was really affecting them because they could miss some important exams and as a result, they were sometimes not promoted to the next class. I finally used the remaining amount of money to buy foodstuff for my family that would take us to the next harvesting season.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Quality education for my children is my greatest desire in life. Currently, I am a housewife and I depend on my husband as the only breadwinner who is a water vendor, a job that pays him less than a dollar per day. The income from this activity is very little to fully cater for our family's basic needs like food and clothing not including the cost of my children's education. My first priority when I receive this transfer will be to clear school fee arrears. I am hoping to make my children settle in school and this will have a positive results in their studies.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am busy with my household chores, and probably doing my casual activities which make me exhaustive. I usually get enough time to rest and share meals with my family in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The joy of every parent is to see his or her children acquire quality education. This has never been the case to me due to lack of financial resources, something that has forced my children to be sent home regularly. The impact of this has been negative in their results since more time is spent at home while their colleagues are in school. Therefore, this is the biggest hardship in my life.
