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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has transformed positively ever since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly. I have started enjoying the benefits of the pair of oxen that I purchased especially in my agricultural activities. I am now able to utilize my whole farm with the help of the bulls and also prepare my farm on time. This assures me of plentiful harvests which will finally finish the scourge of famine in my household. Also when the goats reproduce and multiply I will be in a position to sell any of the matured offsprings and sort out any emergency such as sickness or even settling bills.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in my region and we all couldn't complain about all the positives they did to us. Gifting us with a huge amount of money still feels like a dream to me becasue for all those years on earth it was my first time receiving such a huge amount of money which is non-refundable. Therefore I do not see any part that GD failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a pair of oxen at KES 40000. Since I solely depend on farming, I thought it would be wiser if I could have my own bulls. This has always been my dream but because they were too expensive I could afford even one. To add to that, I cleared school fees arrears for my children who are in primary school who were about to sit for exams. The money came right time becasue I was certain they would again miss the exams as they used to do. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough food off for my family and some other household items eg chairs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I learned that I had finally received my first transfer, I felt happy. I even knelt down and thanked God for sending GiveDirectly to our village. I knew that finally, poverty life would come to an end.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is that I now have goats in my homestead. It has been my dream to rear goats for a long period of time but due to my low income, I could not afford it. The fact that goats reproduce twice a year, gives me hope of becoming wealthy very soon. Currently, some have started reproducing which makes me hopeful and happier. When they multiply I am planning to sell some in nearby markets and buy a dairy cow so that I can get plenty of milk for free. I will also sell some few litres of the milk hence increasing my source of income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some bags of cement, bricks, and sand purposely for the renovation of my house which was semi-permanent. I also paid the mason his labour charge in regards to the task. In addition to that, I bought some five goats that I am now keeping in my compound. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought some sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our village does not have a shop where one can buy small items like sugar, salt, soap and flour. We are forced to work 3km for us to get this basic items. My plan has been to start a small shop where I could sell such commodities to the villager. Receiving this money means fulfilling my desire since I intend to spend 50, 000 shillings to purchase shelves and stocks for my business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of day. I spend my whole day doing my charcoal vending business up to the evening when I return home exhausted with a packet of flour for my family. This is the time that I can relax and meeting the other members of the family. I prepare dinner and we gather at a common place where I share meal with my co-wife. We usual chat and lough a lot which strengthens our bond as family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of capital to materialize my dream of starting a my shop business has been my biggest hardship. Being a second wife, we depend on our husband who can not fully support our basic need like clothing and food for the extend family of 15 members.This has force me to do casual jobs like charcoal vending inorder to supplement his income, despite this job being tiresome.
