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 ($533 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used part of my transfer to buy a piece of land since I have been living on a small piece of land and it was not enough to do farming. I can now do farming on the piece of land and sell the farm produce such as onions and tomatoes to earn an income to meet my basic needs. The dairy goat provides enough milk to my family and I no longer buy milk and I can now save the money that I would have used to buy milk and use to pay school fees for my children. I have also acquired new clothes for my family and we can now dress decently unlike in the past.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly does well by supporting poor households through unconditional cash transfers and also the enrollment process is free and the field officers do not ask for bribes to be enrolled in to the program. In my opinion I do not see anything that Give Directly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used part of my second transfer to buy a dairy cow since I have been buying milk for my family for many years. This was expensive because the money I got from casual jobs was little and could not cater all my basic needs. I also used part of my transfer to buy a dairy goat. I bought the goat because their gestation period is short and will boost milk production for my family. Unfortunately the dairy cow died and I thank God the dairy goat can still provide milk for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Ever since I bought my piece of land, my in-laws are now less troublesome seeing us around them as they know that I am soon leaving my late husband's piece of land to them. This has made my children and I live in peace for that short period of time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money, my family and I were overwhelmed with happiness. It dawned on me that our troubles with my in-laws were soon coming to an end. This revelation gave me a great joy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My husband died in August this year. This has left me as a breadwinner for my three sons. After his death, I have not been in good terms with my in-laws as they do not take me as part of their family anymore. This has really affected my children so much as they see themselves as a burden at a place they call home. When I received my first transfers, I decided to spend the entire amount to buy a piece of land so that I can build my house there and live in peace with my children.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I am in a position to invest for my three children through dairy farming. I have been purchasing milk for our domestic use for the last ten years. I envisage to change this narrative after receiving the first transfer by owning a dairy cow for the first time ever. I intend to sell it's yields so as to pay for my children's education and save for their future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. I operate a small vegetable vending business and it is after closing for the day that I feel relaxed. This is also the time I spend with my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life was the demise of my husband about a month ago. He was diagnosed with malignant epilepsy and had been severely ill for the last three years. Soon after his condition began, we lost a provider. He was our breadwinner. He lost his job as a motorcycle driver and repercussions were dire. I had to overwork myself to provide for the family and it has been so hard to fit into his shoes after the bereavement.
