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 ($521 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I mainly depend on farming to provide food for my family. I however lacked the necessary tools to effectively do the farming. When I received my transfer, I resolved to purchase a pair oxen to aid me in my farming. I am expecting to plough the whole acreage timely for better harvest. I also replaced my bedding with a new mattress and a new bed. I would still be using the old rags and mats as bedding had it not been the coming of GiveDirectly. I can now afford to sleep comfortably.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, giving us the freedom to plan on the spending of this transfer was something they did well since as an individual, I know best the challenges I face in my household. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 12000 of the first transfer on buying a new bed and a mattress. I replaced my bedding with new ones so as to have a good place to sleep comfortably. I also bought a bull at KES 15000. I had already acquired one and its my joy having a pair of oxen that will be useful in my farming practice. I also did some shopping for my children including buying daily foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I am now I am enjoying good lighting in my household through the solar panel that I acquired through the GiveDirectly transfers. Previously I was using lamps and there was no hope of upgrading. The lighting has also provided a comfortable environment for my children's studies as well as relieving me the cost of buying daily kerosene for the lamps.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message notification early in the morning and on checking to confirm, it was from GiveDirectly notifying me that my first transfer had finally been to my Mpesa account. I felt happy for the transfer would enable me to accomplish things that seemed impossible to me.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
On receiving my first transfer, I bought a solar panel to replace the old kerosene lamps that I have been using for a long time. The solar has improved lighting in my home and relieved me of the cost of buying daily kerosene. With the solar in my house, my children will be studying comfortable unlike before when we were using the lamps. I also do not have to look for electricity elsewhere to charge my phone, for the solar I have is enough to charge and those of my neighbours at a fee, thus earning an income through it. I had also desired to invest in poultry farming which thrives well in our area, which I can sell in the local market, hotels and restaurants to earn a living through the investment. I bought some building materials to construct a structure for the poultry. I also bought the birds and enough feeds for them. I am planning to sell when they mature to earn an income.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I dropped out of a tailoring course in Bamba in the year 2016 due to lack of college fees.Completion of the course would have given me an opportunity to not only start a bigger tailoring shop that would generate adequate income for me,but also employ some youthful ladies who normally gets into early marriage due lack of money by parents to send them to secondary schools.Receiving this money therefore means my dream will be rekindled because Iam now able to go back to the college,complete my training and start the dream business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At 5:00am,I wake up and clean the house,utensils and clothes before preparing breakfast.By 7:00am,I set off to the farm until late in the evening when I return home to prepare dinner.After the dinner,I take time with my husband to discuss the plans for our family in a relaxed environment late in the evening.This is normally my happiest part of the day because the discussion gives me hope of a better future before I go to bed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is lack of stable source of income.As a primary school pupil,I had to drop out of school to sell water and work in construction sites to raise my school fees and food.I would not wish my children to go through the same now that Iam a parent hence the desire to have my own business that would generate enough money to pay school fees,buy food and cater for other basic needs.
