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
53010 KES ($360 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My heart is set on a transformation that begins with leaving behind my current, arduous charcoal business and embarking on a new journey of selling vegetables. The toil and minimal profitability of the charcoal trade have weighed heavily on me for far too long. As I prepare for this transition, I envision a thriving vegetable business that not only brings financial stability but also contributes positively to the community by providing fresh, healthy produce. With careful planning and hard work, I am determined to turn this aspiration into a flourishing reality, offering a brighter and more sustainable future for myself and those I aim to serve.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The unconditional money transfer has empowered me to acquire valuable assets like livestock, ensuring a sustainable source of income for my family. I've been able to secure my children's education by paying their school fees, providing them with opportunities for a brighter future. Moreover, I now have a place I proudly call home, a sanctuary of comfort and security. GiveDirectly's commitment to improving lives through direct financial assistance is truly commendable, and I am living proof that their approach works to bring positive change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
First, I decided to buy livestock, specifically goats. Goats are well-suited for our region because pasture is readily available and they reproduce quickly, which means I will have a growing herd in no time. Not only can I sell some of them for additional income, but I can also use them as a financial safety net for any unexpected emergencies. Also, the education of my five children has always been a top priority, so I used $50 to pay their fees. They have faced disruptions in their schooling due to financial constraints, sometimes even missing exams. It pained me to see them struggle. For now,I hope they can focus on their studies and achieve the success they deserve. I also allocated part of the money to buy building materials such as worksheets, poles, nails, and threads. Our previous house had a room that collapsed, forcing my children to seek shelter elsewhere. This was a source of great stress, but with these materials, we are on our way to constructing a stable home. Additionally, I used $50 to buy clothes for my kids, as their old ones were worn out. Restoring their self-esteem and providing for their basic needs were crucial. Finally, I used the remaining funds to buy food for my seven-member family. My husband and I each have our own small businesses, selling charcoal and local pine wine, which brings in around $10 a day. With this safety net and our investments, I'm optimistic about a brighter future for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on my way from a Merry-go-round meeting the moment I received my transfer. My son took my phone and noticed a message on the screen. After reading it, he informed me that I had received money from GiveDirectly. My transfer had arrived, and I was overjoyed. I was confident that I would be able to carry out my plans. I am grateful for the opportunity to transform our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most noticeable difference is that the organization impacted our lives. This is because I was able to purchase a dairy cow and a goat, which would have taken a long time to save up for. Furthermore, I am confident that I will be able to build a decent house once I receive my second transfer because I have saved some money. I am overjoyed and grateful for the support that has significantly improved our standard of living.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I decided to buy a dairy and a goat after receiving our transfer. We knew that selling milk would help us feed our children while also earning extra money. As a result, we spent $140 on a cow and $45 on a goat. I used to have one, but I had to sell it due to the severe drought that hit our area several years ago. My husband is a local businessman, and I sell charcoal. We then set aside $100 for school fees and $150 for constructing a house.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Currently I do not have any form of long term investment. I was feeling I should find one to bail me out when I start paying high school fees for my children. To actualize this, I plan to start keeping goats when I get the grant. For a start I'll buy ten goats each at $35. At this point I'll just be experimenting and should it work out, then I'll improve stock. Even though cattle are equally good, I have picked on goats because they're hardy for these semi arid conditions. They're also able to reproduce very fast giving me a good number in a very short time. I'll also pay school fees for my children from the remaining amount as well as keep the rest for later as I still monitor my new venture.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I'm normally happy when I manage to get good amounts of money that can help me lift my burden. I remember two months ago I was able to get $100 from a particular mary-go-round we've been running in the village and I was very happy. This helped on paying school fees for my children. I currently have five children in primary school each paying $16 per academic term. The remainder went into monthly budget and everyone in the family was equally happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have had a lengthy drought period of close to two years putting us on a very tight spot that without money it's totally impossible to get food. As villagers we mainly rely on subsistence farming to get most of the foods we need to feed our big families. Personally I have a family of eight; six children and the two of us. My husband works several villages away from here tapping palm wine, a job that doesn't pay him much and he normally sends me just $5 weekly. Since the onset of drought, I haven't been able to produce crops. The last time I did was two years ago and it was two sacs of maize. With these new conditions I decided to try out casual jobs at the manganese mines in the village, but this had very bad effect on my health and so I ended up in charcoal burning. I've been able to produce ten sacs per month which fetches $30 at the current market price, but the new challenge is that we do not have trees anymore to burn in this village.