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 ($516 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now I have one female cow which was purchased for purposes of producing milk and two oxen which will be used to plow our farm during the cultivation season. Were it not for Give directly, I do not think I would have managed to buy all these because the little finances I have can never be enough to buy all these items.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I would say that the organization does well by offering unconditional help to the community members. So far, people have changed their lives to a great extent by purchasing some of the things they never had in their lives.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the transfers on taking care of a number of needs which I believed would have changed my life in the long run. I started by buying a cow which I will be milking in the near future when it finally gives birth to a calf. I also bought an ox-driven plow which will of so much help to us as a family going into the future because my husband will be using the machine to plow our farm during the cultivation season.
I also bought a solar-powered panel which I will use to illuminate our house, especially during the night hours. I will no longer have to be using the paraffin lamps which are always very harmful to our health.
part of the money went into the payment of school fees for the kids, while another portion took care of the family's food budget and other miscellaneous expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that currently, I can pay schools fees for my kids at once unlike how I used to pay it in bits due to lack of enough resources. I have also managed to buy household shopping and food is no longer a problem like it used to be. At times when I came home after a long day of hustle and had no money, we were forced to take black tea without sugar for supper.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received these transfers, I was very happy. I knew a number of my long term goals were going to be short term all over sudden thanks to the bulk transfers received from GD.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I bought two cows for the purpose of rearing and using them to plow my farm in the future when they mature. This will reduce the cost incurred to pay workers for the same work. I also bought a goat to rear and add onto my wealth. The remaining amount I paid school fees for my children and bought them new pairs of school uniforms.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It has always been my greatest desire to have a stable source of income that can comfortably meet the needs of my family. Receiving this money, therefore, means my dream of running a kiosk business is finally coming to reality. With the limited options of opportunity in our region, my husband and I were forced into charcoal burning business, a venture that is strenuous and hazardous to one's health. Having it up and running will enable me to educate my children with much ease unlike at the moment where I struggle a lot to keep them in school. In addition, I will use part of my transfer to purchase oxen and an ox-plough, something that will see us till more hectares of land. Being food secured is a source of happiness and peaceful nights to any family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. Normally, my day starts at six in the morning and after preparing my children for school, I embark on household chores that involve cleaning the compound, washing dishes and drawing water from the water pan. Thereafter, I take my goats to the grazing field and it is in the afternoon when I get time to rest after preparing lunch for the family. The evening part is always a busy time for me. By the time I retire to bed, am always exhausted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a sustainable source of income has been my biggest hardship in life. Waking up in the morning and the only option available is to burn charcoal in order to clothe, feed and educate my family is not a walk in the park. At some point, I had to venture into the production of aloe vera oil as an alternative, but the business is no longer viable due to unreliable markets out there. The knowledge of receiving my first transfer in less than a month's time is heartwarming. At least I will be able to put up a kiosk business, something that will hopefully generate sufficient income that can sustain the needs of the family.
