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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the third transfer was a turning point for me. I made a deliberate choice to invest in my livestock project by adding six goats to it worth $240. These goats serve as my beacon of hope, especially for my children's education. I have faith that, just as they always do, they will multiply and thrive, ensuring my children's education remains secure. With no stable employment, it is through them that I envision providing the best education for my five school-going children.
The remaining funds, $200, were dedicated to their schooling. I paid $100 for my son in university and $100 for the other in secondary school. I am now a content parent, knowing that they will not be sent home, allowing them to focus on excelling in their studies
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's transfers were nothing short of a lifesaver for my family. At the time they came into our lives, I was struggling to figure out how I would get money for my children's education. The thought of them not being able to attend school was a continuous worry, and the financial constraints were oppressive.
However, the transfer brought a ray of hope that lit up our lives. With the support, I was able to pay the necessary school fees, something that would have been very hard for me to do on my own. I am now a proud father, knowing that my children can continue their education without any interruptions
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years and beyond, my focus will remain on livestock rearing, which is my primary source of income. My goal is to ensure that my animals have everything they need to thrive, reproduce, and grow quickly, making them more valuable in the market. This not only aids in covering my children's school fees but also sets the stage for my future plans.
One of my aspirations is to sell these well-maintained animals and use the proceeds to establish a shop in my village, selling both packaged and fresh food. This will not only offer me a stable income but will also serve the community by bringing essential goods closer to home. It eliminates the need for people to walk long distances, often up to 7 kilometers, to access these vital items. Through this, I hope to create a win-win situation for myself and my community.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($317 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, I am faced with the responsibility of supporting my two children's education: one is studying at the university, and the other is in grade 12 at secondary school. While my wife works in the ministry of health in Busia County and I engage in farming, the payment of school fees sometimes becomes challenging, particularly when the farming activities are greatly impacted by the ongoing drought. However, upon receiving the second transfer, I allocated $100 towards clearing my daughter's secondary school fees, and I anticipate clearing my son's University fees in the coming month. Recognizing the reliability of goat farming even during drought conditions, I invested $200 in purchasing additional goats to expand my herd. I have hopes for their reproduction, as the offspring will provide a means to pay for future school fees and other necessary expenses. Furthermore, I spent $75 to acquire barbed wire, which I used to fence my compound. This measure helps restrict the movement of my livestock and prevent neighboring animals from straying in, facilitating easier management of the animals and allowing me more time to focus on other projects. With the remaining funds, I obtained a sack of maize for $50, which served as food for my family of eight. The remainder was allocated towards household goods, transportation, and settling various household bills.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has played a crucial role in our lives, and we deeply appreciate their timely support. The cash transfer we received from GiveDirectly has given us the opportunity to address our immediate challenges and make choices based on our individual needs. It has been particularly beneficial in covering school fees and purchasing food, which are common priorities for many of us. This assistance has brought about significant positive changes in our community, including a shift in people's attitudes and behaviors. The comprehensive training provided during the initial meetings has empowered everyone to make informed decisions about how to utilize the funds. While GiveDirectly has been effective in providing this support, there is room for improvement in terms of further enhancing the impact of the support provided and exploring ways to address ongoing challenges in our community.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, my primary objective is to further expand and intensify my venture into goat farming. Given the adverse effects of the ongoing drought, I recognize the resilience of goats in such conditions compared to cows. As a result, I am gradually transitioning away from cow farming and placing a stronger emphasis on goat rearing. While I currently have five cows, my focus is not on increasing their number. However, any additional income generated from my other farming activities or my wife's salary would be gladly invested in acquiring more goats, ensuring the continued growth and success of my goat farming enterprise.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($144 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the delayed salaries of my wife, who works for the Ministry of Health, our family of five has been enduring financial hardships since last December. With no other source of income, providing for our basic needs has been extremely challenging. However, upon receiving the transfer, I spent $100 to purchase essential food items. This included a sack of maize and a few food stuff to sustain us during this difficult period.
Recognizing the importance of education, I allocated the remaining $100 to partially settle the outstanding school fees for my two children. One is currently in high school, while the other is pursuing a university degree. This financial support was crucial in preventing their expelled and enabling them to remain in school. They had previously faced the distressing experience of being sent home due to unpaid fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There have been significant positive changes in my life since receiving the transfer. The biggest difference is the sense of relief I now have, knowing that my children can continue their education without interruption and that we have an adequate food supply at home.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At approximately 3:00 PM, while I was herding my cattle close to our house, I received a text message on my mobile phone. With excitement, I quickly retrieved my phone from my shirt pocket to read the message. To my delight, it was a Mpesa notification about the receipt of GiveDirectly's transfer. I felt a wave of relief come over me as I realized that since I would no longer need to worry about where to find the money to buy food for my family as the food I had purchased before was about to finish. Since it was already late in the evening, I decided to wait until the following day to make the trip to our nearest town and purchase the much-needed provisions.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Climate change has impacted negatively my source of income which is livestock keeping. For the past three years , I have lost ten cows to drought. The lack of rainfall resulted in a decrease in pasture and water for livestock hence a decrease in production and also death. I struggle to raise money to purchase feeds for them and I consider this the biggest challenge.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Water is a scarce resource in our area and that has been the case since I was born. We used to travel several kilometers to access water for domestic use, as a result, we were strained and even people relocated to better places in search of water. Six months ago, the county government launched a borehole drilling 500 meters away and we have been able to get water in plenty. As a resident, I am happy and thankful to God as I easily access clean water and also my livestock which increases milk production.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Quality education is what I want for my children because it will enable them to lead a better future. I am a subsistent farmer and my income is unreliable due to the prolonged droughts that have rendered our farms unproductive for several years. The earnings that we get are not enough to cater to all the basic needs of the family at the same time purchasing feeds for livestock. Receiving this money means that I shall clear school fees of $ 500 in arrears for my children in university and secondary schools. This will ensure that they concentrate on their studies and attain better grades which will make them pursue the careers of their choice. I am happy because a heavy burden would have been lifted from me, the rest of the transfers I will use to fence my land.