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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 how it would have been because the financial support has enabled me to purchase a full pair of oxen and an ox plough. For all those years I have been using my own hands in conducting the exercise and this resulted in poor yields. I never had a chance to hire those of my friends because they were too expensive, with my low income, I couldn't afford them. For most of the planting seasons, I couldn't utilize the whole of my farm and it was totally a waste and preparing the farm on time was very challenging. Currently, I feel relieved in such a way that, I no longer have to strain in preparing my farm and this promises a good harvest all the time. Also, I am planning to hire the bulls to anyone at a fee and get an income for my family's upkeep.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by allowing each one of us to choose what to buy. Also, they offered us adequate teachings on how we can use the money, appropriately. In addition, the money was sent directly to our phones without delay.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second of second transfer on buying a bed at KES 5500 and a mattress at KES 6000. This was to replace the old bedding that I have been using for all those years. Also, I bought new clothes for my whole family because the initial ones were in a bad state. Also, I bought plastic chars at KES 24000 because it has so embarrassing fir all that time because whenever I have a visitor I had to borrow them for friends. With the remaining amount for money, I bought foodstuff that would at least take us for a couple of days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm when I heard a message come into my phone. When I checked my phone, it was the Mpesa message. I was very very happy as I knew our lives would now change 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 that I now own a cow. I could have never raised the money to buy a cow, had it not been for the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase 1 cow, to buy food and I also bought clothes for my two children. My husband and I both work on our farm to be able to produce food to feed our children. We have two children. I purchased a cow with the hope that it can reproduce in future and bring back profit to my family in terms of selling the cow whenever I will be in need of money. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to start livestock farming but lack of money has been a big hindrance. I am now glad that I will be able to buy two goats and one cow for a start when I receive this money. This will cost me $60 for the goats and $ 150 for the cow. Handling emergencies like medication has been my biggest worry but with livestock rearing,I believe I will be in a better position to deal with such emergencies since I can readily get cash from the livestock. I will also buy a bed and a mattress so that I can sleep comfortably. Part of the money will go into buying food and other basic needs for my young family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a farmer. I spend the morning hours in my farm before coming back home to do the house chores and other duties within my compound. At the end of the day I am usually exhausted. I take the evening hours to rest and chat with my husband. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints has been my biggest hardship in life. This has prevented me from achieving very many things in life as well as getting basic needs. Lack of school fees halted my dream of studying up to college level and securing a job. I did not study past primary school. I am now a mother of one and most of the hardships I face is due to lack of money. I struggle to satisfy the family's basic needs such as food,clothes and decent shelter. I depend on farming which does not do well in our region due to lack of rains.
