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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have if I had never received the transfer in that I was able to prepare my farm by hiring works. In addition, I hired a casual worker to clear the bush area around my home which had a dangerous wild animal that had been disturbing me by eating my chickens. Furthermore, I was able to purchase oxen which will reduce the burden of hiring one from my neighbors. Lastly, I was able to construct a kitchen and purchase enough food for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for coming to our village to assist the poor household like ours. The transfer has changed our life for the better. I don't see anything that it does which is wrong.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer $390 to purchase oxen for assisting me in preparing my farm. Before, I was using my hand which was very laborious and sometimes I use to hire from my neighbour which was relatively costly. I also used $220 to construct a separate kitchen and granary for storing my farm produce. Back in the days, I was cooking and storing my harvest in the same house where we use to reside.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around six in the morning when I was preparing myself for my daily hustle. Then I heard my phone ringing continuously, upon checking, I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overexcited because I definitely knew that I would accomplish most of my long time dreams.
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 now a proud owner of a pair of oxen. Previously, I used to hire them from my neighbors which were costly. Also most of the time I could not afford to hire them and I was forced to use my own hands which was tiring. Besides that, I was not able to utilize the whole of my farm and this resulted in low harvesting products. I am now hopeful and happier because I will no longer have to worry about the costs of hiring other people's bulls. To add to that, I am planning to hire them to my neighbors at a fee and generate an income which will also enable me to meet my daily targets with ease unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on hiring some people to prepare my farm since it was a planting season. I also bought some livestock such as a pair of oxen at a total KES 36000. I opted to buy them since they would be of great help to my farming activities. I also bought enough foodstuffs for my family which includes some maize flour, beans, and vegetables. My children can now take three meals like the rest and I am so glad since they are healthy and happy.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a farmer and my plan when I receive this money is expanding my farming activities. I will start by clearing land for cultivation. I will then buy two oxen to help me plough the land. The oxen will cost me 500 USD and preparing the land will cost 200 USD.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. I feel better health wise when the weather is a bit cool. The warm weather does not work well with my health condition. I have hypertension.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Little rains and unpredictable weather conditions has for long been a challenge to me as a farmer. I plan on expanding my land for cultivation but still my worry is the little harvest that I have been getting in the recent years. What I get from my farm is only enough to feed us but I do not get surplus produce to sell in order to cater for other needs.