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
53010 KES ($382 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
By the course of next year, my son in grade 12 will have completed his secondary education and thus eased my financial burden. Therefore i plan on venturing into livestock trading by using the profits from the bread business that my son runs. Previously, I had loaned my son $200 to support this business, and now I am hopeful that he will refund me since I need the same amount as capital for the livestock trading business. From the profits of this business, I will enroll my son in college to pursue a course of his choice
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am happy that GiveDirectly thought of supporting the community by offering unconditional cash transfers because individuals have the autonomy to decide what to do considering their needs. I am also excited that this is a grant and not a loan, so there are no worries about where to get collateral. I never wish anything to change about the organization because, so far, lives have been uplifted.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Education is the best thing that a parent can offer to his or her children, and I am not left behind. When I received the transfers, I spent $350 on school fees for my children in grades 11 and 12, respectively. I am happy that their education will not be interrupted by sending them out of school because of arrears. In addition to this, I also purchased a Friesian dairy cow for $190, purposely for milk production for my family of nine. The cow I currently have in the cow shed belongs to a relative, and I am afraid he might come for it at any time, so I will have none to support my family. For the rest of the transfers, I purchased clothes for my children. If it were not for the transfers, then I would not have achieved this through the maize farming on which my family depends. The production has been limited for the past 3 years as a result of diseases and unfavorable climatic conditions. For instance, I now produce 2 bags of maize on the 0.4 acres of land, unlike the 4 bags produced when the climatic conditions are good.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($419 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On that day, everyone in the village was happy, letting us know that there was some good news, even though I had not received it. I kept checking my phone, hoping to receive the same message, and it did not take long for me to get it. I was in the field with my spouse, tending to our cows, and when I told her the good news, she was just as excited. We did not waste any time and went to a nearby shopping center around 4:00 pm to collect the entire amount. We had all of our plans in place, and by the second day, we had already made our first payments and purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since starting to receive payments from GiveDirectly is a sense of financial stability and the relief of clearing a large school fee arrears for my two children. With this financial support, I no longer have to worry about paying for my children's education, which is a significant burden lifted from my shoulders. This financial stability has also given me a sense of security and allowed me to focus on other important aspects of my life, such as my family's health and well-being, which I have improved by purchasing new clothes and adequate food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even though we had been working hard on casual labor with my spouse to put food on the table for my family of 9, it was never easy to get one every day that would cover both the household needs and school fees for our children. I was relieved to receive the first transfer that I had been looking forward to using to pay off tuition arrears for my daughter's and son's schools. The debt was $300 at the time, and it had to be paid off on the second day after receiving the transfer. I am glad they are now getting enough time in school and have not been sent home since. I also paid $80 for a sheet that I am currently rearing on my farm. In the future, I plan to breed and multiply to help pay for school fees and other household expenses. In addition, I spent $120 on clothing for all nine family members and spent the remainder on food shopping.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We had reached a dead end in trying to raise the school fees for our children. It has been an insurmountable challenge, life has shown us the precariousness of everything, and we feel so disoriented and cut off from hope. The uncertainties of ever having a better life have struck us.We are between a rock and a hard surface. This help from GiveDirectly could not have come at a better time than this, we are thrilled beyond our imagination. We intend to use the transfer to pay the school fees and clear all the arrears by using $240 and use some of the money to purchase clothing and beddings. We will at least have the peace of mind and hope to work hard to better our lives.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Amidst the worries and challenges of the day, we were lucky to have sweet potatoes on our farms that have sustained us well. Food insecurity is a problem here and the cost of buying foodstuff is high and unaffordable, so all this time has been easy for us. Nothing bites more than the lack of food since it is a basic good and so all the meagre resources could have been channeled to purchase the food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, we are wrestling with a sense of hopelessness and not enoughness. This is because the cost of living has shot up. Every effort we have employed is small and it worries us a lot more so raising and paying school fees for our two children who are in Itembe Secondary school. Last week was the school opening day and we have not been able to raise this term school fees leave alone clearing the pending arrears for last term. Day after day we are wondering where to raise the school fees for our children. We want the best for our kids to have a better life than ours. On the face of this we stare at the crushing sense of helplessness. That is what give us massive worries everyday and sleepless nights.
