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 ($528 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 currently different than how it would have been if I never received the transfer. This is because I no longer borrow money from my children most of the time. I can now meet most of my needs using the income that I now earn from the poultry project that I started using my transfers. Also, having clean tap water at my doorstep has changed my life in different ways. First, I no longer walk for long distances looking for water hence I can clean my clothes any time I feel like and this has enabled me to wear clean clothes all the time. Also, I sometimes earn an income by selling water to my neighbors especially during the dry seasons.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did an exemplary job in my village. The fact we were given the large sum of unconditional cash helped so many of us to meet our various needs. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to start a poultry keeping project. I bought some building materials to use in building a chicken coop and also bought some improved Kienyeji chicken. Water is a problem in my region and one has to walk for more than 6 kilometers looking for it. It is also not always clean thus not fit for drinking. Due to this, I spent a good amount from my transfer to buy some pipes to use in connecting piped water. I am now glad since I have clean water at my doorstep hence I no longer walk for a longer distance. Also, I sometimes sell water to some of my neighbors at KES 5 per 20 liters hence an income through it. I spent the remaining amount to buy some necessities for my family. I bought some decent clothes, shoes, pullovers and enough food to last us for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily is having this small business running. due to my age am no longer able to do casual jobs I used to do. In the past years, I have been depending on my son to provide my basic needs. I can now use the income from my business to meet my basic needs and I no longer depend on my son.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I received a message notification. I called my grandchild check for me. He informed me that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I was very happy. I thank God and let Him bless GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on purchasing a water tank. In our area, we have a challenge of getting water and to get this we have to travel for a long distance and are not safe for drinking. Due to my age, I am not able to travel for a distance so sometimes I am forced to buy. Having this water tank has assisted me to store rainwater. I also use the transfers to cement the floor of the small business house I had started. My son has bought me a posho mill and I did not have money to cement the floor. Thanks, GiveDirectly. The business is now running very well.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will at least solve the water problem I have.I will be buy a water tank which will help me harvest water during the rainy season.During the dry season we travel a distance of 30 minutes to get water for domestic use and watering cattle.I am also planning to build a room where I will place a posho mill which my daughter bought for me.With this I will have a source of income bearing in mind that the next posho mill is a bit far.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up healthy and strong in the morning makes me happy.This is beacause most of the work I do is physical.The first task is to feed the cows and goats before I embark on weeding maize in my farm.I feel happy and motivated when working in my farm because that is where I solely depend on.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband passed on in 1982 and raising up my children has not been an easy task.At that time I had two children and just feeding them was not easy not to mention the school fees needed.Being a farmer I depended on the rains which most of the time failed leaving a little to harvest and even sell the surplus to educate my children.I now have five children and I had to sell a piece of land inorder to educate the last two children.I now have a small piece of land whereas I depend on farming which does not give me enough income.However I am glad that at least one child- my last born went to college.
