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 ($485 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different because the transfers have enabled me settle a land debt. This is because the owner of the land was on my toes and I had planned to sell a cow to clear the debt but the GiveDirectly transfers came in a timely manner.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I commend GiveDirectly for doing proper background checksbefore giving out their money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 15000 of my transfer on school fees payment because I had school fees arrears.KES 20000 was used on settlement of a land debt because the owner of the land was on my neck.KES15000 was spent on additional room to act as a store.The rest was spent on food and household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home when I received the M-pesa message saying that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was filled with a lot of happiness, I informed my wife and children and they became so happy too. I was so eager to withdraw the money so that I can pay back the loan and have the piece of land completely mine.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With this piece of land that I have bought, I will be able to till it and get food for my family. My family will therefore be having enough food that will sustain them for a while. I have also planted some onions on the farm which I plan to sell when they mature and get money. The crop residues that I will get from the farm will serve as feed for my cows.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The lump-sum transfer from GiveDirectly has helped me a lot. I was able to pay back the money that I had borrowed from someone to buy a piece of land. I had a big desire to buy the piece of land and I was on the verge of deciding on selling all of my cows to raise the money. I however changed my mind when I got someone who loaned me the amount. Being the eldest in my home and coming from a poor background, I was left with the responsibility of taking care of my siblings and my late sister’s children. I was therefore not in a position to buy land because all the money that I was getting, I used to direct it on taking care of them. I now feel happy and relieved that I have been able to pay back the money that I was loaned and the land is now completely mine. With this piece of land, I can till it and get food for my family. I have also planted some onions on the farm that I plan to sell when they mature. I will also be able to get some crop residues from the farm which I can use as feeds for my cows. The transfer from GiveDirectly has also helped me in paying for my child’s school fees. The rest of the money that I was left with, I used in buying clothes and shoes for the children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wife and I have always wanted the best for our children. We have a mutual feeling that their way to a bright future is through good education. At the moment, we have 2 children at their secondary level of schooling and 3 others at the primary level. Annually, we pay a total of 30000 shillings for those in secondary and 5000 shillings for the ones in primary. They are constantly sent home for unpaid arrears totaling to 7500 shillings. This is a lot for both of us considering that we have other pressing matters that need our attention. If I get lucky to be successfully enrolled, I will commit the money to my children's education, something that has always been my number one desire.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always find happiness in the evening. This is so because I take some rest from the hard day's work. This is also the time I help my children with their homework before we jointly enjoy dinner. This is a feeling like no other as it brings so much joy to my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting water for domestic use is a real challenge in this area. My wife walks for 5 km to and fro just to get a 20-liter Jerry can of water from a nearby water point. The most depressing bit is that she carries the same on her back making her so exhausted at the end of the day considering that she has to go for it 3-4 times daily. That means she spends the entire day fetching water instead of engaging in much more productive activities.The only thing I can do is to sympathize with her because I can not afford to buy a water tank to store this precious commodity. All this is brought about by prolonged seasons of drought that hit this region.
