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 ($502 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 have really been struggling for so many years to own some assets like the livestock but I did not have enough resources to but them. Therefore owning them makes the biggest difference in my life and I am so proud to mention it. I will now lean on them just in case of any financial needs. Also, the fact that I now sleep comfortably on a nice bed has brought the biggest difference in my life. This is because I have been sleeping on the traditional beds for all those years and I was always complaining if some backaches.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has made us provide for our families without straining like the way we used to do. During the Barraza we were well informed on the better ways of using the money and we can secure the money as well. Most of us now own livestock, we have also started some businesses and building decent houses. I do not see any sector GD failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some livestock which includes a dairy cow and some goats with a total of KES 15800. These have been my well thoughtful living assets but due to the poverty that had stricken my household, I could not afford to buy it. I also bought a wooden door to fix in my house because the previous one was not stable enough. With the remaining amount, I am using it in buying enough foodstuff for my family and some other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to buy a new mattress and a new bed to sleep on comfortably. I was sleeping on old rags and worn-out mats. GiveDirectly has changed my life since I am now enjoying a comfortable sleep unlike before. Having good beddings to sleep on is the biggest difference in my life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was weeding my maize plants at my farm when I heard my phone ringing, an alert of a message. Since I could not understand the message, I called for my helper who informed me that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was very happy to receive the news and rejoiced with my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the transfer to purchase an ox at KES 25000. I already had another ox that I was rearing so I decided to buy one to make a complete pair which would help in ploughing my farm. I am glad that I will now be able to cultivate the whole acreage, unlike before when a bigger portion would be left uncultivated. I also spent KES 11000 to buy a new mattress and a new bed to replace the old beddings that I was using. I am planning to buy a new door and fix it at my house because the old door is broken. I am also spending the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My life desire has been to start rearing indigenous goat as my long term investment plan to assist me in meeting my family's basic needs. Being a widow and a sole provider for my family, my only hope is to work as a labourer on my neighbor's farm and I rarely work on my farm. The income from this job is 1 dollar per day which is spent on food, making it hard to meet the other family needs like education and clothing. I have wished to start rearing livestock as an alternative source of income but this has never materialized due to financial constraints. Receiving this means actualization of my long-term dream. The remaining amount will help me in repairing my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mornings are usually spent on walking around the village searching for a chance to work in my neighbours' farms when lack is on my side. I spend the whole afternoon working on the farm until the evening when I come back home feeling fatigued. It is in the evening that I can relax from the day's work hence I consider it as my happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Failure to fully provide the needs of my family has been the biggest challenge in my life. Being casual labourer, earning a dollar per day means working on someone's farm the whole day. Despite this activity being tiresome, I am still forced to do it in order to get food. Hence, I feel the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest hardship.
