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 ($441 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment I have no new goal but to work on the provision of enough foodstuff for my family of 10. Working on casual labor and depending on the sale of milk from my livestock has not been consistent. I cannot think of any apparent goal at the moment but I will keep working on running projects that support my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Many people in the village changed their living standards through the transfer received from GiveDirectly. The program was distinctly different, and they honored its operation and promises without a delay. Many organizations have been promising us support for years, but we have never seen it. I am grateful that GiveDirectly changed people's lifestyle and their minds are now settled on development and no longer wasting their resources on alcohol like they used to do before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 38000 on my second transfer on buying a lactating dairy cow that has consistently provided my family of 10 with sufficient milk. Before receiving the transfer, I was struggling a lot in casual labor and would later spend all my income on paying for milk. I am happy that my family is currently enjoying the plentiful supply and has enabled me to work on other projects. My two children are in secondary school and I spent the rest of the money on school fees. I am grateful for the support and looking forward to a better future for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I first confirmed the receipt of the transfer. I had been expecting this money a lot since the arrears I had in various schools were overwhelming and the only hope was this support. At that moment, I was with my kids and had to inform other elder children that my husband was not at home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved standard of living. I had been toiling on other people's farms and doing casual jobs that paid me less to ensure that I put food on my table and pay school fees for my children. I am glad that I can now work on my farm and provide enough for my family of ten.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my family of ten, all my eight children are currently in various schools. Paying their school fees had been so overwhelming that some had huge arrears by the time I received the first transfer. I am glad that I was able to clear the arrears of KES 21800 for the three children in secondary school, paid KES 3000 tuition fees for the other four in primary school, and also paid for their academic trip worth KES 4000. In addition, I also ensured that each of the eight children get at least a pair of new clothing since the pairs they had been putting on were old and tattered. I spent the remaining KES 10000 on buying foodstuff still in use in my household.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Farming has been my main source of income though I do casual jobs to boost my income. I work hard each day to make sure my family has good access to their basic needs. I had brought different assets to help meet my family's needs and as my financial security. I had a herd of five animals and calves when my firstborn had not joined secondary school. Seven years later, my farm is empty after selling them one by one to pay for their school fees and medication. I am currently spend KES 50 a day to acquire a litre of milk which is expensive cumulatively. This cash transfer to me is a start-up again. I am planning to spend KES 40000 to buy a dairy cow. This is will be an asset to take pride in as a family and a source of both income and food for my family. It will bring back my again financial security which currently do not have.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children's prosperity is my biggest ambition. I give all that I can to make sure that life is good today and in the future. I am hopeful that with education, they can reap better fruits to give them better standards for their future. It is just there months ago when my second-born son joined college courtesy of his employer. This has been my greatest joy in the recent past. I am happy that I have been assisted to achieve my ambition.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was not lucky to have gone past the primary level of education. I am limited to casual jobs and farming as my sources of income. I am a mother of eight children with seven of them still living under my care. I spend approximately KES 250 on my daily household needs and an extra amount on my children's education and other needs. These expenses are too higher for my limited sources thus creating other income-generating activities is so difficult. To me, financial instability is the biggest challenge I am facing.
