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 ($545 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?
My life is different because I no longer fetch water from the river which is located several kilometres away from where I live. I used to strain a lot by walking for long distances before getting tot the only source of water we had around. Moreover, I am so proud of owning this solar powered panel that I purchased using GDs transfers. Using the solar panel is very convenient as compared to using the paraffin lamps that chocks the users and generally prove to be harmful to human beings health due to the soot emitted from such lamps.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I believe that the organization has been at the forefront in helping the neediest in society by uplifting their living standards. There are people who have built very nice houses which maybe they would have never built were it not for the transfers from GD.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used part of the money to pay school fees for my kids who had some pending balances that had to be sorted as fast as possible. I also bought a solar powered panel which I now use to illuminate my house especially during the night hours which means that I no longer have to be used paraffin lamps that are quite harmful to our health. I also used another portion of the money to drill a borehole because this area normally experiences acute water shortages, especially during the dry seasons. Finally, there are around four domestic animals that I bought using the cash from GD which maybe I would never have bought were it not for the transfers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my family no longer walk for a long distance to look for water for domestic use. It was hectic and both time and energy consuming fetching water to be used for the whole day. Aside from that, I won't be relying on the rain for farming because I can now irrigate my farm thus I expect to have an improved food supply for the family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Normally I switch the phone off while sleeping to save on power and switch it on the first thing in the morning. The moment I switched on the phone I received a confirmation message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy, shared the message with the spouse, and we celebrated together.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Water has been a challenge in our area for a long period of time and we had to walk for a long distance to look for water, especially during drought. The moment when I received the first transfer I constructed a borehole to help curb the water challenge. We no longer walk for a long distance to look for water. In addition to that, we can use the water to irrigate our farm during the drought so that we can get a good harvest that can last the family for a longer period. I also bought a solar panel with part of the money for lighting to relieve me from the dangerous fumes that were emitted while I was using a tin lump.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy a new generator so that I can pump water which will be used to irrigate my farm in order to grow kales and tomatoes. I will buy a dairy cow using part of the transfer and the remaining amount will be saved so that it can be used to pay school fees for my child who is in primary school once he joins secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I go to my farm to plough kales and tomatoes. This makes me happy because I am able to sell part of it in order to support my family with other basic needs like food and clothes.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in my life is that my income is not stable and it makes it impossible for me to save cash for my child's education. This makes me to be worried as oftenly he is sent home for school fees while other children are learning.