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 ($512 USD)
access_time 5 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 now different because I now own a pair of oxen and some goats. I am so hopeful and ambitious. I had been yearning to buy them but I could not afford it due to my financial difficulties. The oxen will be of great help to me especially in my farming activities. And also hire them to my neighbors at a fee in case they need. Previously, i could use my own hands in cultivating with was very tiring and i could not afford to hire from friends.Secondly, with goats I have a plan. When they reproduce and mature, I will start a business of selling the offsprings in my market. This will now be my additional source of income. They will really uplift my living standard. I will be able to cater to my families basic needs with ease.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Before the coming of GiveDirecty in my village majority of us were homeless and some with very small huts. Whenever it could rain, we were all stressed up. After receiving our transfers we decided to build good looking big houses. We are now living happily with our families. Secondly the number of children who were in school before the coming of GiveDirectly was very low in my village. This is because of the poverty life that we had. The little money we were earning from the casual jobs was not enough to buy them food and also paying their school fees. But for now the situation is different because all children are now at school courtesy of GiveDirectly. In my opinion whatever GiveDirectly has done to us, is of great help to everyone in the village. I do not see any sector it failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying seven goats at KES 21000. These have been my well thoughtful assets which I hope they will multiply very soon and bright about more benefits. I then bought a sewing machine for my daughter. She finished her college three years ago and she has not been able to possess her own. She used to hire from her friends so at the end of the day she had to share what she has earned with the owner of the machine. I then bought some few pieces of iron sheets to complete building my house. I also bought some foodstuffs with the amount of money that had remained. It has been long since we could harvest.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning the pair of oxen. I had desired to have a pair to improve my farming by cultivating early and timely for better harvests. However I could not afford to buy any at my own cost. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because their financial support has enabled me to own a pair. I am assured of getting better harvests during the planting season by increasing the acreage of my farm.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was my husband who broke the news to me early in the morning that my first transfer had finally been sent to my Mpesa account. I was overwhelmed with joy on reading the transfer notification from GiveDirectly. For sure I never imagined that I would receive such a fortune in my whole life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of the first transfer to buy a pair of oxen to aid me in my farming. Having the pair to me is a big relief because I have been using tools that would take me too long to cultivate my whole acreage.The pair will help me to fully utilize my farm for better harvests. I had also began constructing a new decent house that could accommodate my children. The transfer has enabled me to purchase more materials to complete my new house. I am glad that the house will soon be ready to shelter in it, courtesy of GiveDirectly. Had it not been GiveDirectly coming to my aid, it would have taken me much longer to finish the construction.I spent the remaining amount to purchase daily foodstuffs and paying for other expenses in my household.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to finish building my own house which would be a dream come true. I have already erected poles and what is remaining is iron sheets, some cement and payment for the contractor. With the rest of the transfers, I will buy goats and a sewing machine for my daughter who recently completed her tailoring course.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The best part of my day is in the morning between 6am and 10am. This is because at this particular time I am able to run my errands smoothly without facing the scorching temperatures.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial inadequacy is my biggest struggle in life. As casual labourers, burning charcoal to survive, my husband and I do not earn much. This has hindered our ability to provide food, quality education, clean water and other basic needs for our family. It has also continuously dimmed my hope of owning my own house because we currently have to share the two rooms we call home between me, my co-wife, husband and 8 children.
