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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a family, our livelihood depends on daily casual jobs, often involving tasks like fetching firewood, where we earn $2 daily. However, this income is primarily directed towards ensuring there is enough food on our table, leaving little to nothing for savings. Therefore,receiving the transfers brought a sense of opportunity, and I made careful decisions to better our circumstances. I spent $150 to purchase fencing wire, a crucial step in securing my garden, where I plan to sow vegetables. This effort aims to provide both income and sustenance for my family of six. Additionally, I spent $75 on iron sheets to construct a goat shed, which I believe will be beneficial for our future. I also spent $110 on purchasing maize, a staple for our household, and the remaining funds were dedicated to purchasing essential household goods like beans. While our financial situation remains challenging, I am hopeful that these investments will provide us with a more stable source of income and nourishment.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It is incredible how much of a difference GiveDirectly has made in our lives. Their assistance has enabled us to achieve what seemed unattainable before. Personally, I would not have been able to fence my farm without their support. I am genuinely grateful that their assistance came through when it was most needed. However, I do have a wish for the organization. I believe that adding more transfers or extending the support could help accomplish other essential tasks or projects. There are always more aspirations and needs within the community that could benefit from their assistance. Expanding the support could further uplift and empower individuals to achieve their goals and improve their livelihoods.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Venturing into extensive goat farming is my goal for the upcoming year. I see this as a significant opportunity to generate income for my family of six. To accomplish this endeavor, I plan to utilize my savings of $100, investing it wisely to make this venture a success. Goat farming holds immense potential, not only as a source of income but also as a means to provide for my family's needs. By carefully managing the resources available, I aim to expand this venture gradually, ensuring the well-being of my family. I believe that this step towards extensive goat farming will bring stability and financial security to our household. I am determined to dedicate my efforts and resources to making this venture thrive in the coming year.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, I have four goats, attributed to the previous GiveDirectly transfer. I have been investing in these assets with the hope of growing them even more in the future. Ensuring their comfort in their new home has been my priority, making sure they have enough food and become familiar with their surroundings so they won't flee back to their original homes. When I received the final transfer, I allocated $96 to construct a shelter for them, complete with a chain-link fence to block off any wild animal intrusion at night. I also used $83 to purchase food for my current family of seven and covered the transportation costs for all our purchases from the shopping center to our doorstep. Building the shelter cost $60, and I bought other household goods we were missing for $110. Finally, I saved the remaining $100, which I plan to use to buy more goats to add to our current herd.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has truly been amazing for me and my family, helping us achieve milestones that would have been otherwise impossible. The uniqueness of this cash transfer program, with its unconditional spending, has been its strength. We all have different challenges in our households, and this flexibility allowed us to address our most pressing needs. What's more, it was entirely fair and did not discriminate; as long as one met the criteria, they could benefit. I sincerely believe that nothing should be changed as GiveDirectly extends its support to other villages. The same approach has been incredibly helpful, and I hope it continues to make a positive impact on many more families like mine.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I received the last transfer, I have had a lot to plan and hope to accomplish soon. With the goat project, I hope to spend the remaining $100 on buying at least two more goats and further wish to add even more goats in the coming year, which will then necessitate the construction of a bigger shelter and a fence to safeguard my crops from invasion while they are grazing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($140 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Following a deliberation with my husband, we made the choice to first do the cultivation of a farm in a scheme located near Marigat. Consequently, $100 from the initial transfer was allocated towards the acquisition of seeds and fertilizer, as well as covering certain fees. A notable advantage in this location is our capability to implement irrigation for our crops. This marks a significant shift from the challenges we previously encountered, where we had to engage in casual labor, including charcoal burning, to gather the necessary funds for these endeavors. The remaining portion of the transfer was spent on food for my four grandchildren, with whom I stay with.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, our daily meals were limited to just one, not by preference but due to the scarcity of food. Upon receiving these transfers, we've been able to increase our meals to at least twice a day, resulting in noticeable improvements in our overall health. I've been able to alleviate the burden of excessive manual labor, only engaging in such activities when I choose to. Our gratitude towards Givedirectly is immeasurable, as they have truly uplifted us from our challenging circumstances.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While I was engaged in washing utensils at home, a message notification appeared on my phone. Upon checking, I discovered it was an M-Pesa message confirming the receipt of funds from Givedirectly. I felt a surge of happiness and I immediately knew that I now had the means to support my youngest daughter, who is currently pursuing her education in a medical school. With the ability to pay her school fees, I felt a profound sense of relief and hope for her successful completion of her studies.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It's very difficult living in this village now. When my children were younger I had over 50 goats. This helped us raise some income to support them by selling. Now we only have 5, and educating and feeding our family has made us sell the most. Our last-born daughter is now studying at a medical school to become a nurse.
The few goats we have means it's hard raising an income. This has made our lives difficult as a family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy when we have a meal on the table. We depend mainly on casual jobs such as planting, weeding, or harvesting. One gets paid $2.5 per day. It makes me happy when I secure one because it means we're able to eat as a family.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The transfer has come at the right time. I plan to support my daughter's education. She needs $450 to clear her fees. It will make me happy to see her graduate. She will then be able to get a job and improve our livelihood as a family. Nurses easily get employed.
To improve our income base. We plan to add more goats. They do well here and are easy to maintain. They also breed faster. I will add five more, which will cost about $300. In the future, we won't have to worry so much about getting money. We'll just sell them.
Additionally, our compound is not secure. We need to fence it well so that we can even plant some vegetables or millet. Plan to use $200. It will make it secure to plant and have our food source. This means will not be forced to always buy everything to eat.