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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time 4 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 now because I now have a pair of oxen to help me in my farming. With the pair of oxen, I am assured of doing my farming early and timely for better harvests.The money has also been helpful in building a new house. I did not have a house at first but now have a new one. Having a decent house is the biggest achievement in my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in uplifting our lives since we were in abject poverty. We wouldn't be having decent houses and livestock were it not for the coming of GiveDirectly. I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying building materials in order to construct a new house. I didn't have a good house though my desire was to build a new house but I lacked the money. I am now happy that I have a new house to live with my family. I also spent the transfer on paying for my children school fees. I took the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 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 acquire a pair of oxen and an ox-plough that will support and aid me in my farming. As a farmer, using a pair of oxen is a more practical and economical alternative to tractors. They play an important role in my small scale farming in ploughing and harrowing. This pair will help me as a small scale farmer to save money that I would have otherwise used to hire from neighbours. Also, I will increase my acreage in order to increase food production. Owning this pair of oxen is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message notification on my phone early in the morning and because I could not read any messages on my phone, I carried it along with me without realizing that I had money in my phone. It was until my neighbour came to me and enquired whether I had received any money from GiveDirectly. I gave her my phone and when she checked for me, I could not believe it that Indeed there was money in my Mpesa account. I could not contain the happiness that instantly filled my heart for it was true that GiveDirectly had honoured their promise to us.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 39,000 of the transfer I received from GiveDirectly on buying a pair of oxen and an ox-plough. Buying this pair of oxen is more practical and economical alternative to tractor for me as a smallscale farmer. I initially had to hire from neighbours because I could not manage to buy my own. I am glad that through this pair, I will be able to increase the acreage of my arable land in order to get better harvests. The pair of oxen is also good at harrowing as well as spreading manure that I normally apply on my farm. This improves fertility as compared to using the small tools I have been using to farm with. In addition, I bought foodstuffs for my family that could take us much longer and ensure that my family is fed daily. I spent the remaining amount on buying new school uniforms for my children as well as buying some stationeries for their studies.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My son's barbershop business is doing so well, however, much of his returns go into paying rent for the place he has rented. We have decided to use part of the transfers to build his own place of business to save up what goes into rent and employ two more staff to help him out. The rest of the transfers will be used to purchase livestock in form of cows and goats that will ensure his brothers and sisters' education is catered for. This will help us attain our goal of financial freedom.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because the weather is much more favourable compared to morning and afternoon when the sun is too hot. I thus schedule most of my activities in the evening such as fetching water and uprooting trunks that I use to burn charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The weather is too hot thus has affected crop production and water availability in this area. I currently survive on food that I buy from shops which is too expensive for me given that I burn charcoal as my only means of getting income and the proceeds from it are very low mostly between 500 to 1000 shillngs a month. Water is most expensive as a 20 litre jerican goes for 35 shillings up from 5 shillings. Our water pans are almost dried up because of the extremely hot weather.
