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 ($491 USD)
access_time almost 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 how it would have been had I not received the transfer. I majorly depend on farming and hiring a tractor for tilling and planting purposes is always costly. I am glad since I have my own oxen that am planning to be using for this purposes. In addition, I will be hiring them to my neighbors and in turn earn some money that I can use to support my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by helping everyone equally without any discrimination, are not corrupt and are transparent in their operations. I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I set aside KES 20,000 that I am planning to use in paying school fees for my children when the schools reopens. I settled on this so that when they resume, they will not be sent back home. Also, I spent KES 10,000 on farming by hiring a tractor for land preparation purposes. In addition I bought an oxen worth KES 15,000. I decided on this so that I will not be hiring a tractor for tilling purposes. Using the remaining amount, I bought someo food to last my family for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving the transfer was the best thing to have ever happened in my life. I was really happy at that moment and could not even believe that indeed it was real money. It has been a dream which finally comes true and this came with an assurance that it was that moment to make sure that all the plans I had were finally kicking off.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The renewed energy I currently have on all my farming activities and other usual chores has been the biggest difference in my daily life. The transfer has really empowered me, given me hope, and currently feeling a push to work extra harder to make all my projects work out. With a simplified labor source, I am hoping that my farm productivity is now set to go higher as I have been able to plant in time, use certified seeds, and with an efficient means other than the old hand tools that I was getting used to.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the first transfer, I spent a larger portion on purchasing two oxen. Each was going for 20,000KES. On this allocation, I had an intent of improving my venture in agriculture, and oxen are the most efficient source of labor. I also bought seeds and fertilizers with the other 5000KES, paid 5000KeS towards school fees for my three kids. With the remaining amount, I spent part of it on buying enough household foodstuff. I am glad that I made to add the two oxen as this will both improve our farming and also earn us income as we will be lending them out to other farms around.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to clear this year's school fees arrears of $600 for my two children in secondary school hence peace of mind all through the year for being bebt-free. I will then use $400 to buy a Friesian dairy cow that will ensure consistent source of income from selling 5 litres of milk daily for $2 hence an assurance that I will never lack money to buy food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a farmer, my usual day entails fending for my livestock during morning hours and cultivating my crops in the afternoon. After spending the day in the scorching sun, coming back home for an evening rest is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I practice agriculture for commercial purposes in order to fend for my family. The biggest hardship I face is land unproductivity due to prolonged droughts in this region, which leads to poor harvests hence unsustainability in supporting my family needs, more so school fees for my six children in school.
