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 ($510 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Owning a pair of oxen has made my life to be so different and I can proudly mention. I have really been longing to own them for years but I could not afford it because of the poverty that had stricken by household. Previously, I was using my own hands to prepare my farm and it was so tiresome and I could not utilize all my farm since I could not finish even an acre. This made me get very low harvests. Therefore after getting my money I settled in purchasing them. Apart from helping me in ploughing my farm, I will also be hiring them to my neighbors and get an income. This money will help me in meeting my daily needs without staring and also settle all the bills that I may encounter
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did everything to me so perfectly well. This is because, one on the issue if registration it was free and fair, no one was asked to pay anything. Secondly, there was no discrimination of tribe or religion provided one was a member of the villager he or she was enrolled. Lastly, I was given the opportunity to choose on what I have been desiring to own for long in my life and purchase it. And according to my point of view, I do not see any sector GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some building materials such as pieces of iron sheets, nails, building poles, timber at KES 25000 and paid the mason 5000 as his labor charge. This was purposely for the construction of a new house for my children and also renovate mine which has some leaky roof. I also bought an ox plough at KES 7000. This was for the pair of oxen that I had initially bought using the first transfers. I then cleared school fees for my four children who are both in primary and secondary school. I am currently using the remaining amount of money in buying foodstuffs for my family and some other household items that I was lacking.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to buy livestock which includes two bulls and three goats. Besides them being assets to me, the oxen will help me in my farming. Since rainfall is sometimes unpredictable in our region, my farming practice will be productive again and am assured of getting a good harvest unlike before. The goats will reproduce and I can even sell offspring to help me out in case of a financial challenge. To me, owning livestock is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the notification early in the morning and since I couldn’t understand the contents, I called for my helper who confirmed to me that I had finally received my first transfer. I felt happy about receiving this fortune.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 38000 to purchase livestock which includes three goats and a pair of oxen. I am expecting this pair of oxen to aid me in my farming. I am assured of doing my farming early and timely. Besides, I will be able to cultivate a bigger portion of my farm unlike before. I am also expecting these goats to reproduce and have many of them. Through them, I will be able to sell to meet my future financial needs. In addition to the livestock, I also took KES 7000 to buy 20 pieces of iron sheets. I am planning to build a new house since the one I am currently sheltering is small and its roof is dilapidated. I am spending the remaining amount to buy household needs for my family as well as paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a family of 7 members and we all shelter under the same roof. Some of my children are grown-ups and according to our culture, sleeping together in the same house is unethical. My greatest desire once I receive my transfers are to construct a separate house for my children in order to shift them from my main house and this will give me the respect that I have long yearned for. This will cost me an estimated amount of 300 dollars. My other plan is on food security and I intend to buy oxen and ox plow using $380 dollars. This will mean early land preparation and planting of my farm something that will earn me more harvests. Unlike at the moment where I usually use traditional methods of farming, I normally get low produce which takes me at most 1 month before I start buying food from the shop. I am happy that my hopes of living a better life with my family will materialize soon.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a woman in our culture, one is supposed to take a role in doing a better part of the household chores. I normally do these responsibilities during my morning and afternoon hours. Fetching water, collecting firewood and also working on my farm are among the chores and these usually drain much of my energy. It is in the evening when I find myself relaxed and get a better sleep that makes me refreshed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity to my family due to insufficient financial resources is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. At the moment, I depend on my husband who is doing casual work of house construction within the village. His earning is minimal and it hardly fully support our basic needs, hence we sometimes skip meals or if it means getting our dinner, I am forced to seek help from my brother-in-law. This has eaten away my joy but I am now happy to learn that, the transfers I am about to receive will bring a positive change in my life.
