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 ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had new goals that I didn't have before receiving this second transfer which were adding stock to my fuel selling business as well as paying my children's school fees. These were the goals I had because I considered them good to me and that they would help improve my standards of living, take me to a level higher than the one I am at currently.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly is doing everything well and right. It took me from a very bad place of having nothing to depend on, to having a business that is my regular source of income which helps me to meet my family's immediate needs. I was also able to pay for my son's college which was a headache and nightmare before. I am so grateful GiveDirectly came to save us and saves actually. Therefore, I don't see anything that it doesn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 20000 on paying for my son's college fees because I want him to gain the skills that will be useful to him in the future, which will by extension also benefit me because I know that he won't forget about me. I also spent KES 10500 on adding stock to my fuel selling business because it is my regular source of income which helps me meet my family's immediate needs and I consider it a venture that will lead me to future success and life of financial stability. All thanks to GiveDirectly
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home with my husband chatting when I received the message about my transfer. My spouse checked the phone and informed me that we had received our transfer. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer that would transform our lives for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is I am now a happy farmer after acquiring my pair of oxen which will help me in ploughing my farm. I am planning to improve my family by cultivating 3 more acres of farm something the will ensure me food produce hence enough food for the family. Furthermore, our businesses are operating well after investing part of the transfer to boost them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to support my child's education, he had completed secondary school and was joining an IT college. I spent KES 10,000 to pay part of the college fees. I also used 20,000 to purchase oxen which will help me ploughing my farm. Initially, I was using the traditional ways of farming using a hoe which was time-consuming and characterized by a poor harvest. Occasionally, I had to hire oxen from my neighbour at KES 2000 per acre which was costly. I also invested KES 20,000 to boost my husband's small business of selling motorbike petrol in gallons. I used the remaining amount to boost my grocery business.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means buying a pair of oxen. My ambition has been to have a long-term investment but due to financial challenges, this dream has never come to pass. I am planning to spend 80,000 Kenya shillings to purchase a pair of oxen and a plow. This is going to enable me to cultivate a large piece of land compared to before where I use local tools. I hoping to harvest more food for my family and it is going to be a source of income too because I can hire them to cultivate people's land. In 1 an acre, I can make 2500 shillings. Also, I will invest the remaining amount to clear fees balances for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of the day because I have enough time to perform my house chores comfortably. Unlike in the evening when I am tired and my children need my attention too to chat with me which hinders me from doing the chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship. I mostly depend on my children who work as casual laborers. These jobs earn them 300 Kenya shillings which are not enough to cater for all their needs such as food and mine because they have other dependants.
