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 ($526 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Relying on farming to take care of my family needs was very hard most so after the passing of my husband sometime last year. I had to take up all the responsibility of educating my children and providing for my family's needs which made me to sacrifice a lot because my income could barely sustain us. My bed was broke and I had to resort on sleeping at the floor with a slim old mattress for the sake of my children's education . With GiveDirectly transfer , I have been able to purchase a bed and mattress hence I am able to have enough rest. Secondly, Seeing my children realize their dreams makes a bigger difference in my life than the world to ever know.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly as an organization was not discriminative in its work since it considered working with the most vulnerable individuals who were believed to be out casts because of the miserable state of living. I do not have an area where GiveDirectly didn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the whole of my second transfer to pay school fees for my three children one who is in college and the two in secondary school. I am happy that I was able to settle the last year arrears and part of this year's fees. Though Is have arrears but the best part is seeing my children in school and not being sent home most is a relieve for me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I now have a pair of oxen that will make my farming productive again. I have been hiring oxen from my neighbors at a fee that would always be costly. With the pair, I am assured of doing my farming early and timely. To me, owning this pair makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life. I can also hire them at a fee during the planting season to get an income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly receiving a message early that morning. I had to wait for daybreak so that I could call my helper to read the contents of the message. I was very happy when I realized that GiveDirectly had sent me my transfer. I just started planning and cancelling some plans just to reach on concrete plans that I was going to accomplish.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing two bulls worth KES 30000. I decided to settle on the bulls with the aim of training them to aid me in farming. This will ease my work on the farm and I would not also have to spend an extra coin to hire for labor. I also bought a new mattress and a bed. Replacing the old bedding for myself and my son has given us a nice rest at night. School fees was also one of the priorities that I had and so, I decided to spare KES 5000 for my son's school fees. I am now glad that he will be comfortable at school. Lastly, the remaining amount was used to take care of daily foodstuffs and paying for some household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being self-reliant is what I've been yearning to achieve ever since my husband died 2 years ago. And because he was our sole breadwinner, coming to terms with the situation has not been easy given that I've 6 children who need educational support, food and better shelter yet I do not have any source of income. Receiving this money, therefore, means improved wellbeing for my household. First I will ensure we have enough food supplies from our farm by improving on farming techniques. I will purchase oxen and its plow to facilitate easy and timely cultivation. Again I intend to construct a better house because the one we are currently living in is in a deplorable state - walls are caving in, and the roof is leaking already and in most cases, we are forced to seek alternative places to sleep whenever it rains at night, something that has continuously rob our dignity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For my children to get some of their basic needs, I have to seek casual jobs every day that can at least earn me a daily wage. Juggling between household chores and work can be tough and that explains how my day is always loaded with activities. Evening is when I get time to rest and that makes it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being unable to adequately provide for my family has been the biggest hardship in life. This has been necessitated by lack of reliable sources of income that can sustain the needs of the family. When my husband got ill two years ago, we used all the resources we had to restore his deteriorating health but unfortunately, he died living us with almost nothing under our name. In this period, we have experienced difficult life situations to a point we sometimes skip meals because of lack of money to purchase from the shop. My son had to drop out of school and seeing him engage in manual jobs while his peers are in school is not a good feeling. Luckily, receiving this money will redeem our long lost hope.
