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 ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having my own livestock is the greatest achievement I have from GD transfers. I used the money to handle many family and personal needs but what pleases me and makes me happy the most are the goats and cows I bought with these transfers. First, I am able to plough for others at a cost with my own bulls and ox plough which means I do not need to share any income from ploughing with anyone. Before the transfers, I did not have an ox plough and had to partner with a friend. Secondly, when the goats will reproduce, I will have a number which is a very good source of investment. Whenever I have any financial difficulty, I can sell some to raise money. I feel I am on the right track to making my life better.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD did well in having everyone was enrolled in the village. It was an all-inclusive project which has really brought a lot of harmony in the village. We share freely unlike before the transfers. I am very happy about everything GD did.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying two bulls. I have always joined up my other two bulls with a friend who has an ox plough so that we can plough for others at a cost. I felt it is time I have my own. That is why I decided to buy my own Ox plough plus the bulls I have, I no longer have to depend on anyone to plough. I make my own appointments. I also bought goats as an investment for my family which I can sell to either buy a cow or raise money for other family needs that may arise. The remaining I used on paying school fees for my children in both secondary and primary school. It is my pleasure when they are always in school studying.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a pair of oxen which I acquired from the financial support from GiveDirectly. It is my hope that the bulls will help me in my agricultural activities. I will soon start practicing large scale farming since it will be easy to prepare the farm with the help of the oxen. I will also hire the bulls to friends and get an income. And up to this point, I believe my life will never be the same again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember very well it was around 6 am when I was heading to the farm then I heard my phone vibrating. At first, I ignored, then I became curious since it was so unusual to get a notification at such an hour. I decided to check what the notification was all about. After checking, I realized it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so excited at the moment, I even went back home and celebrated with my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock such as a pair of oxen and goats. I have been yearning to keep them in my homestead but they were too expensive. The little I was earning from the casual jobs could not allow me to own them. I am hopeful I will achieve a lot from this livestock. Secondly, I hired someone to prepare my farm since it was the planting season. The remaining amount of money, I bought some household items and enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security and better nutrition to the family. At the moment, I struggle a lot to put food on the table and this has been necessitated by a lack of proper means of cultivation. Here we hire oxen to help in tilling and since the demand is high and a few are available in the village, often times, we end up planting late and that has led to dismal yields year in year out. Therefore, purchasing my own oxen will bring that to an end. I will be in a position to timely cultivate and subsequently produce enough for the family and the surplus be sold to the outside market. I also intend to invest heavily in goat rearing. This will be my long term investment plan, having in mind that they breed rapidly, it is easy to gain from it within a very short period of time. For this, I will invest around ksh 40000 and be sure of maximum returns within 3 years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. Given the nature of my job and how strenuous it is, I always look forward to evening so that I can spend time with the family and have some quality rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of alternative sources of income has been the biggest hardship in life. At the moment, we survive on casual jobs and charcoal burning businesses which in most instances cannot generate enough income to adequately sustain the family's needs. Since we buy everything from food to water, it is very constraining and as a result, we have compromised on other important things like education and better health care for our children. Most of them have schooled lowly due to a lack of fees. Even the house that we live in, - it is very tiny and cannot accommodate all of us comfortably. Therefore, these transfers will be a big relief for the family.
