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 ($514 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a bed and a mattress at KES 10000. Previously, I used to sleep on a small bed which was uncomfortable. I then gave KES 15000 to my spouse so that he can clear his college fees. He now has his certificate which is giving us more hopes. I then spent KES 25150 on paying a piece of land which I had started paying initially. Previously I used to lease a farm whenever I wanted to do the farming activities. Sometimes I could not afford it because of my financial status.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has been of great impact in my village. I will start by mentioning the houses that everyone built. We are all proud because we have spacious permanent houses. Our previous houses were in a very poor condition no one could think there are some people who could stay in such houses. But due to the poverty life we had no otherwise. We are now happy people because we do shelter in good houses like the rest. Secondly most of us now has different types of livestock such as oxen, dairy cows, hens and goats. The oxen will be of great impact especially in our farming activities, because previously we used to till by our own hands which was resulting to low harvesting products. But for now we are hoping everything will change. The dairy cows will also be providing us with milk for our family consumption. We are so thankful for everything GiveDirectly has done to us. In my opinion I do not see any sector GiveDirectly has not done well.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Owning the pair of oxen has made my life to be more different so far. I am so sure they help me in my farming activities because I currently do not have a farm I normally lease. I always hire the pair of oxen from my neighbours and sometimes do the tilling by myself when I fail to afford the fee. But with the air of oxen that I have, I will be able to plough at ease and to add on that I will be hiring t to my neighbors at a fee. This will be my major source of income since in my village there are few people who own the ox hence the demand is high.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I've always had challenges tilling my farm and in most cases, I could only till half an acre because I couldn't afford to hire people to work on the farm thus I had to do it on my own. This was so hectic, time-consuming and at the same time, it resulted in poor productivity that couldn't take my family for a whole year. The moment when I received the money I bought oxen and ox-plow which I'll be using to plow the farm and I'm happy I'll be able to till the whole two-acre farm that I have hence I'm expecting improved productivity. In addition to that, my children suffered constant eye complications which were caused by the smoke that was emitted from the tin lamp I had. I, therefore, bought a solar lump for lighting which I find to be safer, healthy and convenient compared to the tin lump I had previously.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 in the morning as I was cleaning the house when I heard my phone vibrate. I rushed to the phone to check on the message and to my disbelief, I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so amazed, shared the news with my spouse, and we immediately budgeted on how we would spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having oxen is the greatest achievement of my life. I feel so happy and relaxed, especially whenever I take the oxen out for grazing. This is because I'm ensured of improved productivity in the next harvesting season because I'll be able to till a large area since I now have oxen.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We solely depend on my husband's income as a family. Unfortunately, his income is very low and this at times cannot sustain our family in terms of basic needs like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I am done with the household chores and I take time to observe my children playing in the home compound. This makes me happy as I am able to relax my mind and be relieved of stress due to the fact that I am jobless.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted my husband to be self-employed as at the moment he is employed as a carwash attendant in Mtwapa. The transfer will enable us to open a shop in the village. This will enable my husband to be a shopkeeper and serve clients closer to our home while having time to spend with his family.