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 ($376 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now, I'm interested in making investments in goat farming. Since they can withstand the harsh environment in our region, are less expensive to purchase than cows, and have a ready market when it's time to sell, I chose goats as my livestock of choice. It is difficult to do this task all at once due to the hunger scenario, but whenever I can obtain some cash, I will begin with some hens to swap them for goats.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Our quality of life has been greatly improved by the organization's help. The intentions of the initiative were clearly explained to us, and we were allowed to spend the monies any way we saw fit. According to me, the organization's aid has been extremely important in raising people's living conditions in my village. This unwavering support has allowed residents to take care of their basic requirements. I believe that everyone in the village should be able to take advantage of this program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, purchasing food was my primary priority. This is because I am unable to defend myself. I mean, my spouse suffered for a time and eventually went blind, but I'm unwell and getting older. Apart from that, we never had kids, so our only source of support is from well-wishers. When I received the second transfer, I spent half of it to construct a modest, safe house for us because the one we had was about to collapse. I utilized the other half to maintain the household. Despite my gratitude for the help given by GiveDirectly, I regret that there was no place for savings or investment due to the current state of poverty.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($404 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just unwinding under a tree at around 3 PM when my grandson informed me that I had received my first cash transfer. At that precise moment, my heart was filled with joy since I knew that I would be able to build my dream house. Without wasting time, I had to inform my spouse right away and started planning on the same.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For over forty years of marriage, I have been living in a small temporary hut with grass-thatched roofs. During those days, life was not that easy since I could hardly sleep at night, especially during the rainy seasons. Apart from that, I had to change the grass roofing yearly, which was very costly, and sometimes I couldn't afford it since I depended on my cousin for all our needs, considering that my spouse and I are old and ailing. I was not lucky enough to bear my kids, and this was the beginning of all the troubles that we were experiencing. Therefore, the moment I received my first cash transfer, my first thought was to put up a new building and live comfortably like the rest. Currently, I am a happy soul, together with my spouse, for finally being able to sleep in a semi-permanent, spacious iron-roofed house. I will no longer have to renovate the house yearly like I used to do previously, hence saving the money given and catering to some other daily needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I used to reside in a temporary shelter whereby I used to face so many challenges which include being attacked by wild animals. I always lived in fear and hopelessness. My dream was therefore to upgrade to a better house because it wasn't comfortable and it was also leaking during the winter seasons. I therefore bought some building materials which include iron sheets and building poles to facilitate this. Having accomplished that, I hired someone to prepare my farm since I couldn't cultivate it on my own considering my health problems and my advanced age. In the past, I could harvest poor and low yield something close to two (50kg) bags which could only last for three months. I am now optimistic that with the huge support, the level of food production shall increase at a higher rate since there will be no starvation. Finally, I spent the remaining amount of money to buy enough foodstuffs for my family of two. For years, we have been depending on my cousin for our daily bread which was sometimes so difficult for him to provide for us considering he has his own family as well. For now, it is a relief to him, since the food will take us a couple of months.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Living in an unworthy house has always shocked us because our structure is just braving the strong wind. Since we are unable to repair or construct a better one, we have been compelled to stay in this house and we have hoped to get well-wishers who can support us. What a sigh of relief to welcome GiveDirectly to our village! With the cash grant, I am optimistic about constructing a new house using utmost $600 of my money. This will guarantee us to live comfortably because we will be enjoying a life free from worries. The remaining amount will help me to start poultry farming to have a dependable future project that can sustain our needs. This project is less energy-draining since I will mostly stay at home. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 6 months, I have gone through harsh situations because my husband can not work due to his eyes disability and I am also weak to perform any income-generating activity. This means we have missed the opportunity to fully engage ourselves in farm work despite the short rains our area has been receiving. It is always a sigh of relief to us whenever a well-wisher comes to our rescue. In most cases, it is my brother-in-law who never forgets us; he usually sends us some cash to buy food. Thus, his eminence support is always what gives my life meaning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband and I are both sick and our health statuses do not allow us to perform strenuous activities. In addition, he is blind which has limited him from seeking any job either within or outside the village. This means, in the last 12 years, we have been surviving and seeking help from well-wishers. What a life! Since our area's economic activities are farming and charcoal work, I am hardly involved in these and my hope has remained in my brother-in-law who is a casual laborer in masonry. His support is usually not reliable since he has many responsibilities to cater to and in most cases, we survive on one meal. I, therefore, consider financial crisis as what stands out as the biggest challenge in my life.