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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I used to cultivate a smaller acreage of land which meant that I could harvest a few sacks while others who cultivated larger pieces of land would walk home with several sacks of the produce. But now with the pair of oxen that I bought with transfers from Give Directly, I will increase the acreage of land that will be cultivated in order to utilize my farm to the maximum. Owning this pair is the biggest difference in my daily life, for I will no longer be hiring labor instead I will use the oxen to cultivate other peoples land and earn money out of it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the message notification early in the morning. On checking, it was from GiveDirectly notifying me that my first transfer had finally been sent. I was overwhelmed with joy for financial support. At first, when Give Directly came to my home I knew they are like other organizations that come and go without doing whatever they had promised. My doubts were erased the moment I saw the message.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to purchase a pair of oxen. Initially, I was using farm tools which were effective but could not cultivate a big portion of land. I could only manage to cultivate a small area leading to a small harvest. I felt like I was wasting my land but there was nothing I could do since hiring neighbours was costly for me. With the pair, I will no longer be hiring labor instead, I will use the oxen to cultivate other peoples land and earn money from this. I will also be getting enough food as a result of the bigger area of land thus reducing my expenditure on food. I also cleared my children's outstanding fees so that they could be allowed back to school after staying home for several weeks. In addition to this, I did some shopping on food and other basic necessities for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a food secure home for me and my family. I will use the transfers to buy oxen and an ox plough which will enable me to plough a bigger portion of my farm within a short time, this translates to more yield ensuring a steady supply of food. As long as I have enough food in my house, I will be able to divert the rest of the money to other activities that can generate income to be spent on education and other basic needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happiest in the evening because I rest after a long and hot day's work at my farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finances is a big challenge to my family because it has affected my ability to adequately provide basic needs of my family such as my children's education, food and medication. The situation has been so worse that two of my children had to repeat a whole year of primary education because I lacked enough money to take them to secondary school. Another one resolved to be a casual labourer in Mombasa town after I failed to see him through his secondary education.
