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
53010 KES ($389 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My passion for business drove me to purchase a posho mill after my parent-teacher association (PTA) teaching job failed terribly. Since I recently installed this machine, I am hopeful that the business will thrive now that the competition here is minimal and this will be the only one in the village. I will utilize the profits to pay for my school fees, as I plan on enrolling in a teaching job at the teacher's college as well as providing for my family of 4.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Nothing excites me like the unconditionality of the transfers. GiveDirectly wisely thought of such a move because family needs differ across a community, and with the transfers, the financial burden has been eased as businesses have been boosted and assets acquired.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After completing my 12th-grade examination two years ago, I never had a chance to further my studies for lack of school fees. Therefore, I had to make ends meet through a parent-teacher association (PTA) job at a nearby school. Unfortunately, the $40 I was to be paid at the end of the month was often delayed, and at times the pay was slashed to $20 or even nothing. I had to forego this job to concentrate on business to provide for my family of 4. When I received my last transfers, I used them all to purchase a posho mill that I had recently installed and wished would run soon. From the profits, I will be eager to enrol in a teaching job as well as provide food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($412 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Upon seeing a text message on my screen informing me of a deposit from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with joy that cannot be put into words. I was at home when my phone buzzed, and upon checking the message, I discovered that Segovia Technologies had deposited a substantial amount of money into my account. I quickly shared the wonderful news with my husband and neighbor, who were equally thrilled. The assistance that came our way has had a significant impact on our lives, and for that, I am grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Acquiring a dairy cow has made the most significant impact on my daily life. It has enabled me to save money that I used to spend daily and has provided me with a reliable source of milk. With the funds from the transfer, I was also able to purchase enough food for my household and settle a long-pending debt. Moreover, I am hopeful that the second transfer will enable me to further my education. I am delighted and grateful for the support that has brought so much happiness to our lives and significantly improved our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even though my husband and I are teachers, we are currently awaiting government placement, leaving us to rely on the small stipend we receive from teaching as well as contributions from the parent-teacher association. Our family consists of two children, and we consider ourselves blessed. GiveDirectly's financial assistance has been a true blessing for us, as it has enabled us to comfortably meet our daily needs, especially regarding food, which was a challenge before. Upon receiving the transfer, I purchased food and clothing, as well as a cow worth $270 and a table and chair worth $50. Knowing that we have enough food in the house brings me a sense of fulfillment as a parent, as I am confident that my family will have enough to eat, which was difficult to achieve before due to our unstable source of income. We are truly grateful for the monthly support that has transformed our lives.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We have a lot of plans lined up for us once we receive transfers from GiveFirectly. On top of our priority list is buying at least one dairy cow and a piece of land that can allow us take care of the dairy cow. Once it starts producing milk then we will be able to use the money that we get from it to make ends meet by meeting the needs of our family. Our bigger goal as a couple is to later advance our studies by joining colleges of our choice. This shall be one of the greatest achievements in my life. I will always be indebted to GiveFirectly if I get the transfers as promised. It will surely be a life changing moment for me and my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The last six months has been very tough for us as a family. It was particularly tough when schools had closed and my husband who works as a teacher had his salary stopped. This made us strain financially in meeting all the needs of our family. When schools finally reopened in January, I felt very happy. This is because I knew that things were going to be quite easy for us after a very hard struggle the past few months. At least we have been able to clear payments in local shops that were already piling up and which were beginning to stress us off. I am now optimistic more than ever before that I will be able to go back to school as I had earlier planned. We look forward to accomplishing much more as a family after we receive our transfer from GiveFirectly. This is including buying a dairy cow and going back to school to further our studies.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenges that I am facing currently are among other things harsh climatic conditions. We have been relying on subsistence farming and casual work in people's farms to make some income that helps us sustain ourselves and the needs we have in the family. The prolonged droughts have resulted in very low produce from our farms. Furthermore, these harsh climatic conditions have meant that we do not get any form of casual work in people's farms too. It has been particularly tough during school holidays when my husband makes no income at all from the school that he teaches. Recently he has had to resort to doing motorcycle taxi just to help us make ends meet. My dreams of furthering my studies have had to be postponed because of the situation that we are currently facing.
