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
55000 KES ($510 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 now different than it would have been if I had never received my transfer in that I have advanced my farming. Through the transfer, l am now ploughing my farm in time using ox-plough, I non longer use my hands in ploughing my farm and assured of more harvest. I also built a separate house for my children. This has restored the privacy that I had missed for many years.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I thank Givedirectly for the cash transfer which has helped me to construct a house for my boys who were spending the nights in the kitchen and helped me to purchase ox-plough.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $110 of my second on buying ox-plough which will assist me in ploughing my farm. I was using the traditional way of farming which is characterized by a poor harvest. I also purchased a bed and mattress for my children since they were sleeping on the floor using a worn out mattress. In addition, I bought a water tank to store enough rainwater for my family's consumption. I used the remaining amount to buy 4 plastic chairs and pay school fees for my 5 children who had been discontinued for a week due to the balance of fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was working in my farm early that morning when I heard my phone ringing. On checking, I had received a Mpesa message. I was curious to know who the sender was. I could not contain the joy I felt when I realized that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I thanked them for this financial help that I never worked for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now at peace seeing my children having their own house to stay. The living house was not spacious enough to accommodate them. They had to seek shelter from neighbours at night. I am happy that they are no longer troubled on where to stay. Also, having their own house has helped them to concentrate on their studies instead of spending their entire free time in their friends' house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen. This pair will help me in doing my farming timely for a better harvest. I used to cultivate a small piece of land but now with this pair of oxen, I am assured of utilising my whole acreage. I spent the remaining amount on building a house for my children. They are out of age and did not have there own house. The current house was not spacious enough to accommodate them. I thus bought enough building materials such as iron sheets, nails and poles to build the house.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A separate house for my children is generally what receiving this money means to me. This is because, at the moment, I share my house with the children who are grown up and this does not give me peace since it is too small and it can not accommodate us. My plan once I receive the cash grant is to spend $300 to construct the house for the children something that will guarantee me the respect that I have lost for long. On the other hand, I also plan to use $300 to buy oxen to help me upscaling my farming since I currently depend on using traditional methods of farming like the use of a hoe. This has resulted in low production and consequently food insecurity in my household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The afternoon is the happiest part of my day because it is at this time when I am back from the farm and I could relax and also get my first day's meal, which I share with my children. Unlike in the morning when I wake up and leave to the farm while I am hungry. The evening also finds me when I am exhausted since apart from the farm work, I am required to do other household chores like fetching water, firewood, and cooking.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is basically my biggest hardship especially since COVID-19 started. This is because I majorly depend on my husband's casual work which was interfered with by the corona pandemic. Being a housewife, I have no other sources of getting food and this means borrowing from my relatives when my husband fails to provide. This has resulted to the feeling of a shame since I always think I have become a burden to my relatives.
