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
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to buy another cow. I had one cow before the transfers and I managed to buy a calf with part of the recent transfer. I would like to buy another cow to add to the one that I am milking because I usually supply some of my milk to a nearby milk cooling plant. The money that I get paid usually helps me in paying school fees for my four children. Two who are in primary school and the other two are in secondary school. Buying another cow will mean increased milk supply and hence more income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly staff taught us well in the meeting that they held with the community members. They explained everything well and we got to understand what the program entailed. I would however, like to recommend to them to reconsider helping those that were left out during enrollment since they are also needy and they deserve to be helped.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent KES 21000 of our recent transfer on paying school fees for our two children in secondary school. We managed to clear the whole academic term school fees. We are thus happy and we have had some peace of mind because our children were not sent home due to arrears. We also spent another KES 18000 on buying a calf. We bought the calf so that it can help us in the future when it calves. We usually sell some of the milk from our cow and the money that we get from the sales, usually helps us in paying school fees for our children. I am also casually employed as a subordinate staff in a private school and the money that I get paid, usually also helps me in paying school fees and meeting the other household needs of my family. With the remaining transfer amount, we used it on buying maize for our consumption.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
We were in our home about our daily activities. Our children are the ones who actually nformed us having been informed by others from around the village. We were all in a celebration mood knowing better that we would accomplish a lot of things that we had always yearned for.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is the fact that some of the assets that we own currently. I feel we are more secure financially and the future of our children more secured
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used part of the transfer received pay school fees, used part of it to buy a dairy cow as we also used a small proportion of it to buy for for family. We chose to buy a dairy cow as we had none and also paid school fees which was one of the main challenges we have always had
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means quality education for my children. I am a father to 10 children,5 in the primary and secondary school and three engaging in motorcycle riding after completing their form four level. They have been unable to further their studies due to a lack of school fees. We solely depend on farming as our economic activity and this is the source of school fees for my children. Because of unfavorable climatic conditions and diseases in the past 5 years, we have been unable to obtain a good harvest from our farms hence all my children have recorded a high rate of absenteeism in school. This has led to deterioration in their performance as compared to their earlier times in school when I could pay their school fees on time. These transfers will therefore enable me to settle the school fee debt of KES 25000 and the remaining amount will be given as a deposit for next term school fees which amounting to KES 54000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being employed at Holy Family Siongiroi as a subordinate staff has brought me joy in the past 6 months. This is because I am assured of a constant income at the end of the month. Although I earn KES 6000 a month , this has salvaged my family from several debts though not all. Moreover, it has guaranteed food security for my family because I can buy a bag of maize at KES 2800 .This has been able to sustain my family and it makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, I have a big challenge in paying school fees for my 5 children.Three of them are in secondary school and two in primary school. Working as a subordinate staff at Holy Family Academy where I earn KES 6000 per month does not enable me to pay all their school fees as well as meet the basic needs of the family such as food and clothing. The inability to pay school fees has subjected me to borrowing loans in various microfinance institutions. Furthermore, the continuous loaning from my elder son's enterprise has led to the collapse of his small hotel.At the moment am in great debt and only hope that there will be a better harvest from the crops in the field.
