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 ($518 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?
I own a pair of oxen that I currently used to plough my farm which is the biggest difference in my life. I expect increased yields this time round because I was in a position to plough and plant my crops in time. Part of the harvest I get will be eaten and the other part sold for adding an ox in time to come. Previously, I had to hire my neighbor's oxen and it came with a lot of conditions hence I would cultivate only one acre of land that couldn't produce enough yields to support my family. I am optimistic that this step I have made will ease the struggle of providing food for my family and enhance food security.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done an awesome work through giving donation that has lead to a broader output and a positive impact to the beneficiaries. Today, decent iron roofed houses are a clear evidence of what GiveDirectly's money has done to my society.I don't see anything wrong done by GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer that I received from GiveDirectly to purchase building materials and paid workers who facilitated the construction of my new house. I feel humbled and blessed to be living in this palatial house. I cultivated my two acre of land with a pair of oxen that I had bought with part of the second transfer. The remaining amount I bought food for my family's consumption.
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.
Through this transfer, I managed to purchase livestock which if I were to buy at my own cost, then it would have taken years to achieve. I now own a heifer and four goats to rear and keep in my homestead. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I will be able to sell them to cater to my future financial needs. Owning the livestock to me is the biggest difference in my daily life since having them is a source of wealth and finance to me. I will be able to educate my children who are still young as well as meeting other future financial needs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw Mpesa message early in the morning and for sure it was a surprise to me because it had been long since I received money in my account. I thought it was my husband who had sent the money but when I went through it, I realized it was from GiveDirectly. I felt happy as I read the message again to my children and for sure, it was a blessing to me. I thanked GiveDirectly for their financial support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 27000 of my first transfer to purchase livestock which includes a heifer and four goats to keep in my homestead. Having this livestock to me is a boost financially because they are assets to me which upon reproducing, they will increase in number and have many of them. I know I will be able to sell in case of any financial crisis. I will also be benefitting from the milk that the heifer will be producing upon maturity and relieve me of the cost of buying elsewhere. In addition to the livestock, I also purchased 30 pieces of iron sheets at KES 20000. I am in the process of constructing a new decent house since the one I am currently living in is in a bad state. I had desired to live in a decent house for long but due to insufficient resources, I could not manage. I appreciate GiveDirectly because their financial support has enabled me to at least start by purchasing the iron sheets.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a great boost to my family because we have struggled a lot in trying to make ends meet. Currently, I don't have any meaningful source of income and my husband whom we solely depend on works in a construction site in Mombasa on contract. And given that his income is meager, providing basic necessities to our children has been an uphill task. Therefore, receiving this money will enable us to be self-reliant. And in order to achieve that, we plan to invest in livestock raising business. Our interest is on cross-bred goats which does very well in this region. Again, since we live near Bamba shopping center, our desire to open up a kiosk business will comes in handy. This will enable us to earn an income on a daily basis and that is what we have been yearning for.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest. Waking up to a new day, feeling healthy is always a sign of hope. For me, a bad morning can ruin the entire day and that is why I normally value how my day starts. This is also a moment where I do most of my day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest worry is not being able to meet the needs of our children particularly in educating them. This is something that my husband and I suffered since our parents we not in a position to take us through school. We dropped out of school at an early age and this has affected us negatively in securing formal employment at the moment. It has reduced us to casual laborers and the thought of letting our children undergo the same ordeal is unbearable. Therefore, lack of alternative sources of income has been the biggest hardship our my lives. It is was a sign of relief when we learnt of Give directly and the good work it is doing in alleviating the lives of the people. At long last, we are certain our children will never lack basic needs in future.
