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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes. I have an additional goal which is to purchase more goats. I previously had 7 goats unfortunately, 2 died due to the prolonged drought we experienced last year. Fortunately, the whole of this year the climate has improved making it favorable for livestock. The five goats I have left look healthy. Goats give birth twice a year which makes them a good investment. I feel excited whenever I set my eyes on them hence I get motivated to add more.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly did well in sending cash directly to the needy. This is a great sign of transparency. In addition, they do not have any form of discrimination while enrolling people in their program. On the other hand, I would not say that there is no area that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of the second transfer to purchase a motorcycle at a cost of KES 35000. My main motivation for purchasing the motorcycle was to sort the challenges of walking for a longer distance in search of water, especially during drought. In such periods, we are usually forced to leave the house as early as 4:00 am in search of water only to come back later in the evening. With the motorcycle, I can carry enough water for the family in one trip. Besides that, I also operate taxi services with the motorcycle. This is an additional income alongside the charcoal business which I have been operating for some years. The money I make from the motorcycle comes in handy when it comes to meeting the daily household needs like food. I am so proud my family looks healthy because we can afford a whole day's nutritive meal.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy the moment I received the money because I neither had nor expected to get such an amount. Therefore, I was so happy when I got it, because it helped me improve my life greatly, in such a way that I couldn't have done anytime soon.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I can now confidently say that I am living a good and stress-free life ever since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I am no longer worried about where I will get food for my family, my children are in school and their arrears are fully settled. I am so happy and proud, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 15000 on buying food for my family because we were at height of the biting drought and famine, therefore, food for my family was the top priority. This was also because with food at home, I would have the peace of mind which would inturn enable me effectively and efficiently deal with addressing the other challenges we were facing. Therefore, I bought and stored enough food that will last for quite some time which makes my mind at ease. I also spent KES 9000 on settling my five children's school fees arrears because they had accumulated over a very long period of time, almost two years and I was stranded because I neither had the ability nor means to settle them and which used to give me sleepless nights. Therefore, I was so happy and grateful for I got the relief I so much desired and almost dreamt of. I believe in education because it will not only help my children but also myself too because I believe with a good education, my children will be able to get employed and inturn I'll be able to count on them to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing in the future. I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Goat farming is something that I have done before but currently I do not have any. Receiving this money will take me back to those days when I had a herd of goats that helped me a lot especially in paying school fees and medical emergencies. Goats do well in this semi arid region. I plan to spend KES 40,000 to purchase 15 goats. I will spend the rest KES 15,000 to buy a bed and bedding together with food so that my children can be as comfortable as possible at home and in their studies as well.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of April, my nephew bought me two plastic chairs and a table. I was very glad since I had never owned any of these. It reminded me of my late sister whom we were very close. It was a show of appreciation from her son to me. I now use the table to serve food and sometimes my children use it to study. When I have a visitor, I can comfortably offer him or her a good place to sit.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of money to satisfy the basic needs and paying school fees for my children is my current challenge. This is mainly due to the drought that we are currently experiencing. I used to depend on crop and livestock farming to get money but its almost two years now since we had sufficient rain to give me good harvest and enough pasture for livestock. I have resorted to charcoal vending which is energy draining with little income; as low as KES 1500 weekly. This is barely enough to cater for all the needs of my eight children.
