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 different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I would not have been in a position to pay school fees for my children on time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving us money to spent in a way that we want. This gives us a chance to make a decision on our own. GiveDirectly did everything perfect I do not find anything to point out as not good.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
My spend my second transfer on paying school fees for my children in school and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family and fence my compound to look decent.
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.
Currently, my daily life is different from how it was before. This is because I have been able to achieve some things that seemed impossible. First, I have been able to build a house for my children. Due to this, they no longer sleep at our neighbors house anymore as they now have theirs. Also, I have been able to pay school fees for my children early. Even though I did not clear paying for the whole year, I now have enough time to look for the remaining balance. I am now glad since they will continue with their studies without any interruptions when the schools reopen in January next year.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes past 5 am when I was woken up by an incoming message on my phone. I became so happy after reading the message as it indicated that I was KES 55000 richer. I knew that most of my plans would finally be fulfilled.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 15000 from my first transfer to pay school fees for my children. I settled on this so that they will not be sent back home when the school opens. Also, I spent some amount on building a house for my children. I bought enough building materials and also paid a mason the full cost of construction. I decided on this so that they will not be seeking shelter from my neighbors houses anymore. I used the remaining amount to buy some poles and barbed wire to use in fencing my compound.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money,my first priority is buying a dairy cow.I currently have one heifer and my aim is expanding my dairy farm bit by bit.My desire is to sell 10 litres of milk by mid next year.I want to buy an improved breed so that I can ensure high milk yield.Such a cow will cost me approximately Ksh 30,000(300 USD).The money I will save from the sale of milk will help me pay school fees for my two children.I also have a plan of farming tomatoes.This is a rare kind of farming in this area .I want to try it out since tomatoes are on high demand and again tomatoes take a short time to ripen.I will start with 0.2 acres of land for a start before expanding.This will depend on the outcome.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I construct houses and sometimes I am forced to work the whole day.I feed the cows before leaving for work at 9 am.I come back home at 6pm feeling very exhausted.I enjoy the evening hours after job since I feel at ease relaxing after taking a shower and freshening up.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I separated with my wife 7 years ago.We had frequent misunderstandings due to lack of money.We always quarrelled in the evening after I arrived from my house construction job because what I brought home was not enough.She left with two kids and I remained with the other two and it has been a struggle playing both parental roles.Sometimes I am forced to forego my work so that I can deal with my children's issues for example school issues and medication.I cannot work far away from home since I have to be close to my children.This is the biggest hardship that I have been facing since the time my wife left.
