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 ($468 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?
After fulfilling my initial goals of providing quality education and ensuring that my kids have a bright future through educating them. Also, being able to boost my livestock rearing and settle the land debt. I do not have any new goals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for sending directly cash transfers to mobile phones to the poor households. Also, the transfer was unconditional and without any influence by government officials. I feel there is nothing it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer on clearing the fees arrears of my child who is secondary school which was KES 18,000. He has frequently been out of school due to the arrears. I spent KES 20,000 to purchase 5 goats to boost my livestock rearing an activity that I have been depending on to bring up my family. I also used the remaining amount and add up with my saving to pay off the debt of a piece of land I have bought earlier which was KES 20,000.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 o'clock, I was in the house preparing breakfast for my husband and I. My kids had gone to school so I was at home with my spouse preparing to go to the bush for my charcoal burning activity. I checked my phone and I realized that there is a Mpesa message indicating that I had received my transfer. I told my spouse about the transfer and we together celebrated receiving our transfer. I had to change the plan of the day to go and withdraw the cash since we had already planned for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently leading a better life after receiving my transfer. Through the aid, I was able to clear the fee arrears for my children as well as boost my charcoal business. Nowadays, I am able to transport charcoal to the market on time without any difficulties after purchasing a second-hand motorbike.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to support my 7 children who are still schooling. One is in secondary school and the others in primary. I had not been able to start the payment of the current term fees, so I decided to clear the term one fees in full. Currently, they are learning without any interruption. I also spent KES 10,000 to purchase a second-hand motorbike for improving my charcoal business. Currently, I am able to transport my charcoal to the market more easily since I was hiring one from my neighbour which is very expensive. In addition, I spent KES 3000 to purchase school uniforms and home clothes for my kids since they were wearing worn-out ones which were very embarrassing whenever I escort them to school. I saved the remaining amount to assist us in our daily needs like food and water.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved performance for my children in school. This is because I am planning to spend KES 20000 of my first transfer to pay school fees for the whole year of my son in Mitangani secondary school. I will also KES 30000 to pay school fees for the whole year again for my 5 children in primary school. By paying their school fees for the whole year my children will not be sent out of school to collect school fees and this will improve their performance in school. I will save the little coin I earn in my charcoal work to pay for the school fees for the following year. With my second transfer, I will use it to buy oxen and ox plough because I am planning to upscale my farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the morning waking up healthy with my children despite the life challenges it gives me hope for a better future.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life is a financial crisis. I am a charcoal vendor, a job that earns me a little amount of KES 6000 per month. This amount cannot fully support the household expense, we use the amount for food only, I am unable to cater for other household expenses like paying school fees for my children, hence my children have been on and off from school leading to their low performance.
