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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With my second transfer we had a plan of constructing an iron roofed house since we didn't have one. In addition, my new goal is to start a business of being potatoes vendor because people do not plant.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did well by giving unconditional cash to every house which gave them the freedom to spend on what they need.I do not see what Givedirectly didn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With Kshs 40,000 we spent in building a two iron roofed house since we had a single grass thatched one.We are happy now the house is fully complete and we have already moved in.The house is not only for shelter but will use the clean iron roofs to collect clean water hence saving us walking long routes to get water.With the remaining amount we used in purchasing maize which has sustained us several months.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a housewife, I was had just completed doing my morning chores and I was getting ready to go to the farm to till it in readiness for rains so that I can plant some sweet potatoes when I received an SMS. My heart was filled with joy upon reading it and I altered my plans by preparing early lunch instead of going to the farm so that I would get ready to go and withdraw them. I also called my husband who was at work to inform him about the receipt of the transfer and he was happy to hear the good news that would transform our lives for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving the transfer, I would at times make porridge and give them to my children as lunch and this had made them emaciated. The transfers enabled me to purchase a sack of maize and due to this, we now feed well as we have our three meals a day and this has lead to an improvement in our health. This has always put a smile on my face as I no longer feel that I have failed to provide for my children as a parent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I spent KES 29000 to purchase a dairy cow and two goats. These are assets to me that I can rely on in case of a financial crisis. Also, when the cow calves, my family will have enough milk for consumption and it will also enable me to save the money I would otherwise use in buying milk. In addition to this, I bought some utensils at KES 2400 since the ones I had were not enough spent KES 10000 on clothes and used KES 8000 to clear the debts that I had. I used the remaining KES 5600 to buy one sack of maize, sugar, rice, and beans for our consumption.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have lived in constant fear that the owner of the only cow in my compound will come for it anytime.If this happens,it will mean that my four young children will no longer have access to the nutrients found in milk which are essential for their growth.The coming of GiveDirectly to my village has renewed my hope of owning my own cow.If am lucky to receive this transfer,I intend to first buy a lactating cow for Sh 30,000, which will not only provide milk for my children's consumption but also a surplus for sale thus a source of income for my family.After accomplishing this is when I will now be able to focus on other things such as building another house for my family,buying food as well as clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A casual labourer's day in this area starts while other people are probably still asleep-as early as 4:00 AM.I then start by preparing breakfast for my children and leave home while they have not woken up.It takes me about two hours by foot to reach the farm.While at the farm,amidst the hard labour there,there is always the constant fear of whether my young children back home are okay.As I leave the farm in the evening,am always in a hurry to get home and see them and everytime that I arrive and are reunited with them,I sigh in relief.Another day gone,I have a wage for the day and this means that they will have food .This is usually the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is providing food for my family single-handedly.Even though I am married and live in my husband's house,he has somehow left all the responsibilities of provision of basic needs to me.He works in a place called Nakuru but he hardly sends any money home.As for me,I work as a casual labourer at a nearby farm where am paid between Sh 5000-7000 a month.No matter how you squeeze in your budget,having this amount meet the needs of five family members is a tall order.Additionally,this is not a regular job as there are times when there is no work in the farm.When this happens,my only option is usually to borrow from my parents' home-something that am not proud of at all and I wish that I never have to do that.
