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 ($519 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?
Had it not been the coming of GiveDirectly, then I wouldn't be owning any livestock. I am no longer hiring when it comes to prepare and ploughing my farm during the planting season. I used to hire from neighbours but currently I am using my own pair of oxen. It has helped me in doing my farming timely for better harvests. My children were a always sent home from school since I couldn't pay for them on time. Their studies are no longer interrupted now having cleared for them through this money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in choosing and enrolling the needy households and since there are no complains from us, it does it's operations well. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the the second transfer on purchasing a pair of oxen that I am using to plough my farm. I was hiring from neighbours during the planting season which was costly with a larger acreage. Having my own pair will not only help me in doing my farming timely but also hiring to my neighbours hence getting an income. I also spent the remaining amount to pay for my children school fees as well as shopping on my household items and buying daily food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the pair of oxen is the biggest difference in my daily life because initially, I was using farm tools that were not efficient for larger acreage and the harvest I was getting could not last as long. Through the pair, I will increase the acreage for better harvests.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification on my phone. On checking to know the sender, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly confirming that I had received some money from them, the money that I was anxiously waiting for. At that moment, I became so happy about the transfer for it would impact my life positively.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a pair of oxen in order to improve my farming. Previously the farm tools I was using were too inferior and tiresome and I could only manage to cultivate a small piece of my land. I know through the pair, I will cultivate my land timely and increase my acreage for better yields. I will also hire them to neighbours during the planting season so as to earn an income. In addition to this, I paid for my children's school fees and cleared the arrears which I was not able to pay since last year. I am happy that my children have been allowed back to school to continue with their studies comfortably. I also bought a new door for my children's house and fixed it to replace the old door that was broken. I spent the rest of the transfer on shopping for my family's basic necessities like foodstuffs and clothing for my children.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband used to own a shop in Bamba centre but it collapsed due to lack of capital. Since then, it has been very difficult to pay our children's school fees. My desire is to provide quality education for my children up to tertiary level. This will enable them to access employment opportunities that will eradicate poverty in my family. Therefore, with this transfer I will reopen the shop business and also purchase livestock for rearing. These will help me generate income which I will save in order to finance my children's education. Besides this, the income will also cater for other needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the better part of my day doing household chores and rarely get time to rest. However, in the evening when I am done with these duties I get enough time to rest. It also gives me sufficient time to bond with my children as we take supper. Having my children around gives me joy because they laugh a lot thus making me feel at ease. Therefore I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is my biggest hardship. This is because I lack a stable source of income and solely depend on my husband for a living. He supports me with around 500 shillings a month which is supposed to cater for all needs. However, it is not possible and mostly I focus on the very sensitive needs which are food and healthcare. In this regard, I am not able to meet educational expenses of 70 shillings a Month for my children. Currently I have outstanding arrears of 4000 shillings that accumulated since the previous year.
