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
55000 KES ($477 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?
Right now, I am planning to venture more into both poultry and goat keeping. This will help during financial emergencies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well because it has reduced the rate of poverty in our locality. This is evident from the Iron roofed houses that many villagers who initially had grass-thatched houses have built. Additionally, the enrollment process was fair because every household in our village our enrolled.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I and my husband have worked as professional teachers for the past 14 years. When we started working we decided to take a land loan and bought five acres of land because we had only an acre. As a result, since then, we have been repaying a total of 38,000 per month from our salaries. Due to this life has been a struggle while bringing up our four kids.
So when I received my second transfer, I spent KES 50,000 on the payment of last school fees arrears for my sons one in high school and the other in the primary. Additionally, I managed to pay the next term's fees for my son in high school.
For the remainder, I used KES 5,000 on the purchase of cooking pots and utensils, and a blender. This is because earlier I had only a few which couldn't serve visitors well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home alone that morning when I received a message from GiveDirectly that brought quite a lot of excitement. It was a co formation message of the first transfer that I had been anticipating since I was enrolled. At that moment, I called my husband who responded cheerfully since he had already seen other people who had received the same amount that morning. We had all plans set and could not wait but collected the money as we had agreed on the phone with my husband.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved farming. The certified seeds we obtained, the timely planting, and also the huge investment in buying five sheep have brought great future hope to our household. I am grateful to GiveDireclty and looking forward to the second transfer that will as well enhance the start of great things.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Just after the enrollment into the program by GiveDirectly, there has been continuous sit-in planning in our household. Suggestions both from my husband and children have all been great and we had to finally sit down and agreed on the possible few and defer the rest as we await the second transfer. With the KES 55000 that we received, I spent KES 15000 on improving my farming through the purchase of certified seeds, fertilizers, and finally paying the labor cost on planting. Farming to us had been the main source of income and we had to ensure a timely planting. I considered an expansion of livestock farming by buying five sheep at KES 20000 to add to the already existing seven in our household. This is also a great future investment that will cushion us a lot as we will be selling them out in case we are pressed hard by the need to raise school fees for our children. Currently, we have two in school that we also paid a total of KES 16000 for their school fees. I spent the remaining KES 4000 on buying foodstuff for my family of seven. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the great support that has changed a lot in our household.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean my family of 7 can have an extra source of income. I plan on using KSH 30,000 on farming of beans and maize. I have tried this kind of farming before but in small scale and the profit I got was around KSH 10,000. I'm estimating a profit of KSH 60,000 from the farm produce I'll get once I harvest in 5-7 months after planting. I'm also taking advantage of the rainy season to get a good harvest. I will use the remaining amount of my first transfer to pay for school fees because two of my children are in school and often I'm forced to sell my sheep when I don't have money to pay for their school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two major things have happened to us in the last 6 months. Firstly 4 of our cows gave birth and that meant more milk production, I used money from selling the milk to pay for my children's school fees and also paid for my National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) monthly bill which I had not paid in months. Two months ago I also gave birth to my son and I'm quite happy that I had a smooth pregnancy. I did not have any birth related complications and for that we give thanks to God.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge we face is loans and debt. My husband and I are teachers and even though we have a combined income of KSH 50,000 we are in debt. We both took loans of worth KSH 120,000 to pursue our university education and until now we are still paying. In addition we added other small loans to invest in livestock farming but the cows we have don't produce enough milk to be sold or to bring in extra income for the family.
