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 ($525 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 different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was able to pay school fees for my children on time and they were able to sit for their exams.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to poor people in the community to improve the standard of living. There is nothing that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend my second transfer on to pay school fees for my children, I also bought food for the family and the rest of the money I used it to complete building that I started using the previous transfer.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my family now lives in a more presentable house. This would not have been possible had it not have been for GD. With my paltry income from subsistence farming and casual jobs, meeting all the family needs has been challenging for me. Both daily household and children's education needs are my priority thus, I spend much of my income on them leaving me with none to improve our home. I am now glad since I can concentrate on other income-generating activities whenever I get money because I am done with my home improvement. I am happy that we currently stay in a better and more presentable house courtesy of GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 6 am when I received a message alert on my phone. Since I was awake at that time, I decided to read and know its contents and who the sender was. I became so happy and gave thanks to God and GiveDirectly after realizing that GiveDirectly had honored their promise. I knew that this money would enable us to achieve a lot of things.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I took some amount from my first transfer to pay circumcision fee for my son who was undergoing initiation. I settled on this since he had come of age for him to undergo it and it's my happiness to help him undergo the rite of passage of life. Also, I spent some amount on farming. I bought a barbed wire and some poles to use in fencing my compound. I bought hybrid maize seeds and sought the services of a tractor in farm preparation and planting. I expect a better harvest that will guarantee my family enough meals and surpluses to sell to meet other family needs. Also, I bought some ceiling to fix in my newly built house to make it more presentable. I spent the remaining amount to buy a heifer. This will be a mark of GiveDirectly in my life that I will show my children when they grow up.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been slowly building my house but at some point it stalled because of lack of money.My priority has been paying school fees for my children.I am now happy that Give Directly has come to my rescue and I will be able to complete the finishing bit of the house.This will cost me Ksh 15,000(150 USD).I will also construct a kitchen to replace the old grass thatched one that I have.This will cost me another Ksh 15,000.The second transfer will come in time when school will be reopening in January. This will help me in paying school fees which has been my biggest worry.For the first term of the year I am required to pay Ksh 26,000 for one child in a boarding secondary school and Ksh 6,000 for another in day secondary school.What remains of the transfers will help me invest more in poultry and crop farming which has been helping me a lot in meeting the basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours feeding and looking after the cows.I enjoy the morning hours since they are my busiest and at the end of the day I get to enjoy the fruits of my labour. I sell 5 litres of milk in a day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With the tough economic times,life has been a real struggle.My husband works with the Ministry of Agriculture but is a drunkard.This stresses me a lot because at times he spends a lot on alcohol leaving us with little to depend on.I feel the weight here at home because I am forced to work extra hard as a farmer in order to supplement what he provides for us.My joy is seeing him a more responsible family man.This will give me peace of mind and will automatically translate to a more stable family.
