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 ($428 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My dream has always been to be able to buy poultry and livestock in large quantities and run a business off of their produce. I am confident that I will be able to make a viable business out of everything from meat to eggs and milk from various livestock, allowing me to educate and provide for my children, giving them a better life than we have had as their parents.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It would be spectacularly difficult to explain just how hard we have struggled to find a sustainable way to store our water. That water tank meant a transformation in our lives like none we had seen before. My village has a rhythm to it; it buzzes, ever since GiveDirectly came into our lives, and you can feel it when you walk around. It's hope, it's a new beginning, and GiveDirectly is changing lives!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has always been a challenge to find enough water in our area and, more importantly, to store it. It was on the top of my list to purchase a proper water tank. I bought 4 goats, 2 of each kind. The plan is to rear them into a flock. I also decided that I could finally afford a few luxuries and got myself a bed! With my main business being burning wood into charcoal, and my wife assisting on the same, the $5 to $6 sale price we make on a sack was barely enough to support us and our 7 kids. We grow various cereals on our 7-acre farm, but the drought didn't give us a chance this year. Without those funds from GiveDirectly, we would not have survived the drought. The school fees for my kids were also covered by the funds from GiveDirectly.We have two in Grade 6 at Ndigiria, while the other four go to Bomani Primary. Forking out $60 each for the two eldest and $2 for each of the lower-grade kids was a burden that GiveDirectly graciously took off our shoulders, since we paid for tuition and are current as of now.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a motorbike taxi driver, I was at the nearby shop in our village refilling petrol in the bike when I had a loud message notification on my phone. I was curious to know the content of the message since I had heard my neighbors celebrating after receiving the transfer. I felt very happy about receiving my transfer because it has been long since I hold such a huge amount of money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life daily life is that I am able to provide the basic needs for family like food without struggling. Previously, we were taking one meal per day and sometimes going to bed without any food. Seeing my children sleeping without eating kept me unhappy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a livestock farmer, I had wished to expand my farming by purchasing more goats but I lack money to accomplish the dream. I spent KES 15,000 on acquiring 4 more goats this is because I had sold most of them to support my children's education. I also used KES 10,000 to purchase a bed and mattress. Formerly, I was using a traditional bed and old sacks as bedding which was not comfortable, and always felt ashamed whenever I received guests. I had to move from one neighbor to another to seek proper shelter for my guest. I also used KES 7000 to support my kid's education by purchasing books and school uniforms, they use to go to school with casual clothes something that makes me feel embarrassed as a parent. I also bought 3pairs of clothes for every member of my family, we were wearing worn-out clothes. The remaining amount assisted us to purchase adequate food for the family because we are experiencing drought and famine our area at the moment.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means proper education for my children. My children have been on and off school due to the lack of money to pay their school fees. Sometimes, my children spend 2-3 days at home waiting for me to go pay their school fees. I work as a charcoal vendor, a business whose prices flactuate depending on seasons. Sometimes I don't sell enough charcoal to sustain my family due to some undesirable changes in the market. Paying their school fees translates to enough study time and thus improved academic performance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. This is the time I spend with family after coming from the forest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Seeing my children at home due to lack of school fees is the biggest hardship in my life. My children study in a local primary school, a school where parents cater for the salaries of all teachers. Sometimes they are sent home only to find out that I have nothing to give them.
