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 almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
It has been hard for me since the year 2014 when I graduated from Kisii university with my first degree in Computer science. Since then, I have never gotten and formal employment to earn me anything. I have been struggling with casual jobs to see my family meet the daily basic needs. I recently opted to pursue education as a career after noticing a cup that I can suit in. This has been my biggest dream ever since I realized it and with the desperation I have been through, changing my career was welcomed with passion. The challenge of raising the expect fee came. It is quite hard to get the required money with the little income from my casual jobs and many need to take care of. when I received my second transfer I kept KES50000 to help me start a school-based program come April this year. This the biggest difference in my daily life since in the next year I will be equipped with the necessary skills and certifications to grab a better opportunity.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in uplifting our lives which were miserable before enrollment. We have been able to provide for our families effectively, purchasing livestock as assets. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well and urge them to keep on with the good heart of helping the needy.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I have saved KES50000 from my second transfer to help me go back to college to further my education. I am happy that this is will help me acquire the necessary skills to get a better form of employment. I have been out looking for jobs but I haven't been successful due to the current state of our society. I took the remaining amount to spent on my family's daily needs mainly food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk and it was costly for me. I teach in neighboring school and the salary that I get is so small and can only gather for the basic needs of the family. I did not have any other source of income to enable me to buy a dairy cow. Sometimes my brothers could give me some milk and I found this like inconveniencing them. Currently, I have bought a dairy cow, I have enough milk for my family and I sell the surplus to meet other basic needs. I no longer have stress on where to get the money to buy milk. I also no longer disturb my brothers every morning to give me milk. We live happily with my spouse and children. Our living standard has changed to be better unlike before we received the money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard a message from my phone. When I checked it it was a message confirming that I have received a sum of 550002 KES. I knew from that point that I will be in a position to buy a dairy cow to cut the daily cost of buying milk.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. I used to buy daily milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me. I also bought building materials ready to build a poultry house and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been planning to do more of livestock farming to supplement what I get from my teaching job.I will therefore buy a heifer which will cost me around Ksh 30,000(300USD).This will be an improved breed compared to the one I own.My aim is getting more milk for consumption and for sale.I will also expand poultry farming by buying an improved breed of chicks.This will mean that I have to put up new structures(120USD) and buy chicks worth 80 USD.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It's just a walking distance to the school where I teach.I arrive at school at around 7:30 am.I work till 5:30 pm.Working for almost 10 hrs a day is quite tiresome.I am usually tired in the evening.I enjoy the morning hours when I am still fresh.This makes my work very enjoyable.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is unemployment.Imagine owning a bachelors degree in computer science then ending up unemployed.It's 5 years now since I completed my undergraduate studies.I was an intern for 6 months in 2014 but did not manage to secure permanent employment in one of the Tea companies in the neighbouring county.I have two children and due to the hard economic times I was forced seek for employment as a teacher.I now teach Mathematics and Business studies.I am employed by the school board and therefore I am paid very little money(100 USD) in a month since I depended on parents fees.I cannot be employed permanently by the Teachers Service Commission since I did not do a course in Education.I am therefore just hopeful that one day I will be employed in my line of proffession.
