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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 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 that how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I have been able to build a house that I am intending to use for business. This business will be my source of income aside farming. Owning the sheep are also of great importance to me since they are assets that I can rely on in case of financial challenges.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by giving us a financial aid without any discrimination and we were able to use it in uplifting our lives in different ways and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent a good amount to build a two room house that I am intending to use for business. I will open a shop in one of the rooms while I use the other for maize shelling purpose. I spent the remaining amount to meet our basic needs. I cleared school fees arrears for my children and bought some food to last us for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
When GiveDirectly came for enrollment in my village, I had lost hope of completing building a house for my family. This is because I wanted to concentrate on paying my children's school fees on time. The transfers came in handy as it enabled me to complete building this house and to clear my children's school fees. I will open a shop in one of the rooms in my newly completed house. This will help me generate some income daily as I work on my farm since it will be easier to operate it when at home. I will be using this income to meet my family needs on time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes past six am after waking up so that I would prepare my children to go to school when I decide to call one of my neighbors and see if she would lend me some money. After reading the unread messages that I had, I became so happy and immediately dismissed the thought of borrowing money. I knew that this money would impact our lives positively.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I received my first transfer at a time I had left the house I was building a for my family since I had run short of money. Due to this, I decided to use some of it to complete this house. I bought some iron sheets, nails and also paid a mason for this work. Also, I spent some amount to pay school fees for my children. I settled on this so that they would be allowed to sit for their end examinations. I used the remaining amount to buy a cow as a way of expanding my dairy project. It had always been my prayer to do so so that I can increase the income from milk sales.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I want to buy a cow with 320 usd; I have another cow which produces 4 litres of milk a day but that's not enough; I need a cow that produces at least 7 litres a day.This will translate to more income. I also want to expand my house to have an extra room to accommodate my 6 children.The current one is too small since it is has only one bedroom.I will hire someone to build the extra room (50usd for labor and 100usd for building materials)
What is the happiest part of your day?
I enjoy the evening hours because it is usually time for me to reflect on what I have done the whole day.I sit with the rest of the family and each one of us shares the experiences of the day.For example the kids tell me about school work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on agriculture as a source of income and for the last 10 years climatic conditions and crop diseases has led to crop failure.The piece of land that I cultivate is also not enough to give me good income(0.2 acres) . To supplement what I get from crop farming I have one cow that produces 4 litres of milk a day. Maize and beans are the primary crops that I grow. Dairy farming seems to be working better that's why I want to slowly venture into it. With the remaining part of the money I will buy clothes for kids/ school uniform.
