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 ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After a huge investment in all the projects that my household had enlisted in the first and the second transfer, I am happy and equally grateful to monitor their progress. The dairy cow I purchased is doing so well especially now that I have a large water tank that collects enough water from the roof both for household and livestock use. I also managed to clear the current tuition fees and looking forward to raising more money to cover the following terms for my two children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The approach used by GiveDirectly right from the start when we were sensitized and equipped with the project's details was very clear. All the promises made were all delivered, and in my opinion, this was an incomparably work well done throughout our village and even beyond. The staff were true to their words and gave out the same information in every household that removed any doubt that the project could have been untrue. There is nothing wrong with the whole operation as many attest to the fact that GiveDirectly did the best to change our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our region has been so dry in most seasons and is generally affected by the adverse weather conditions that would force us to walk long distances in search of water. I had been in a constant struggle to raise finances that would give a lasting solution to the water scarcity in my family in the past months but had never been possible since I had other pressing issues to address. I am glad that on receiving the second transfer, I spent KES 18000 on buying a 3000-liters plastic tank that I have placed right behind my house to collect the rainwater. Since then, I had been enjoying the use of clean water both for my household use and also for the livestock. I also had tuition arrears of KES 5000 that I had to clear for my two children. In addition, I bought two sacks of maize used as foodstuff at KES 6000, new pairs of clothes for my four children, and saved the remaining amount to use in checking any household item that we may run short of in the future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
After a long day on the farm, I was exhausted, this made me retire to bed early, at around 9 pm I had my phone vibrating and ringing, upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I immediately informed my wife who was sleeping next to me, he was overwhelmed with joy, we knew that we will be able to buy a dairy cow and pay school fees for our children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the current economic status in our country, I could not afford to buy foodstuff in bulk, especially maize, therefore I used to buy them in small quantities daily, I will say that my life is different now because I was able to stock enough foodstuffs in the house to last us for a while, I am so grateful because my family is assured of a meal daily and we would no longer worry of sleeping on an empty stomach.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I are consistent farmers in the village, together we are blessed with four children, we have always wanted to own a cow but this dream had not to be realized due to the responsibilities that we had of paying school fees and also providing other necessities, we depend on farming, therefore, the harvest is very little with the climatic change, when we received the transfer my husband and I agreed on buying a dairy cow so has to have milk for our daily consumption where we used KES 25,000, I then paid the school fees arrears for my children where I paid KES 18,000, lastly I used the remaining amount in buying clothes and foodstuffs, I am so relieved that my children can study comfortably without being sent home.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am happy to have been enrolled in this program. We have wanted for along time to own a water tank for use as a reservoir for storing clean water for domestic use. It has not been possible because of lack of funds. The water we use are so dirty, contaminated and unreliable in supply. Many a times we have suffered waterborne diseases like typhoid and amoebiasis. Our teeth is even discoloured because the said water is full of fluoride. It is for these reasons that we plan to purchase a 5000 litre water tank worth KES 35000. The rest of the money will be used to establish a poultry unit.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My 3 dairy cows calved and it gave me a lot of joy since I was able to produce enough for consumption and sale. It has sustained my family for all that time.I have been milking approximately 10 litres in a day, quite a lot for me. It's a real achievement. I thank God for it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a household , the main challenge we face is food insecurity. The production of maize was highly affected by the lethal maize necrosis disease that affected our crops since 2011. We have been buying the commodity but a times it is expensive. Most of the meagre income we get goes towards purchasing the product which in the past we were producing.
