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 ($354 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?
In the upcoming year, I have a significant goal in mind: to complete the construction of a water tank that will allow me to harvest rainwater. This precious resource will be a game-changer for our family of eight, as it will enable us to irrigate and grow fruits, bananas, pawpaws, and vegetables to generate income. Timing is everything in this endeavor, and I aim to make the most of the El Nino rains to fill our water tank. This will ensure a steady supply of water for our crops throughout the year, even during dry seasons. To finance this project, I plan to utilize the $200 I have saved, which I set aside with great care. Additionally, I intend to sell our maize harvest and tap into my husband's retirement pension. With this combined effort, I am optimistic that we can complete the construction of the water tank, creating new opportunities for our family and securing a more stable and prosperous future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
With Givedirectly, lives have been uplifted, dreams have found new footing, and people have been empowered to achieve remarkable feats. Personally, the impact of GiveDirectly's assistance in my life has been profound. I have been able to pay for my children's education, a dream I thought was distant due to financial constraints. It is not just about immediate relief; it is about securing a better future for our families. Moreover, my own financial state has been reinstated, and I find myself in a much more stable position. The burden that once weighed heavily on my shoulders has lightened, allowing me to breathe easier and plan for a brighter tomorrow. As of now, everything is fine. The assistance provided by GiveDirectly has truly made a significant difference, and there is no pressing need for change in their approach. Their support has been a lifeline for countless individuals, myself included, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact they have had on our lives. It is a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when people come together to make a difference.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In a family of eight, we have always depended on farming to make ends meet. It is a challenging life, marked by the unpredictable nature of agriculture, which seems to tighten its grip with every passing year. My biggest worry was how my sons could pursue their education under such circumstances. The burden of providing for my family and securing an education for my sons weighed heavily on my shoulders. I could not see a clear path forward. But then the transfers came, and everything changed. I set aside that $200 for a water tank to harvest rainwater that I plan on using to irrigate my fruits as an investment for a better future. As for the remaining funds, they were directed towards my son's college fees. It was a momentous relief, as I had never imagined how they could continue their studies with our financial constraints. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making this a success, as I am now hopeful that they will complete their education, graduate, and become employed, therefore assisting me in the future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($387 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I lay in bed, seeking refuge from the scorching sun, a message notification suddenly lit up my phone screen around 3 pm. With curiosity and hope, I unlocked my phone to find a message that would forever change my life. It was the first transfer from GiveDirectly, a blessing that I had been eagerly awaiting. As I read the message, a surge of emotions overwhelmed me. Finally, my fervent prayers had been answered, and my heart swelled with happiness knowing that this financial support would enable me to fulfill my deepest dream of sending my beloved son to college. The weight of worry lifted from my shoulders, and I knew that this act of kindness would not only transform my son's life but ours as well. With renewed hope, I embraced this new beginning, grateful for the generosity that had touched our lives in the most meaningful way possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was stressed and felt utterly stranded, unsure of where I would find the money to send my son to college after he received his calling letter. It pained me to think that he might miss out on further education, especially when he had done so well in his secondary studies. However, thanks to the generosity of GiveDirectly, I now have hope. With the financial aid they provided, I was able to set aside enough money to fulfill my son's dream of pursuing higher education. The burden of uncertainty has lifted, and I am filled with gratitude and relief. This life-changing support has not only given my son a chance for a brighter future but has also rekindled my belief in the goodness of humanity. I will forever be grateful to GiveDirectly for making a profound difference in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to improve our lives. I spent $70 to repair my son's motorbike, which he used to ferry people and goods for a fee, providing us with a source of income. It was heartwarming to see my son working hard and contributing to the family's financial well-being. With the rest of the money, I made a decision that filled my heart with pride. I decided to save it for my son's college education. As a humble peasant farmer, sending my child to college seemed like an impossible dream. But thanks to the generosity of the organization, that dream was now within reach. This coming September, my son would be able to pursue higher education, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity GiveDirectly provided us with. It was a gift that would change our lives forever, and I was determined to make the most of it.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Upscaling my farming is generally what I have in my mind but because of financial instability, this has always been postponed. To an extent, I have not been able to meet some of my priorities. At the moment, I have already constructed an underground water tank that has a capacity of 30,000 liters, but I am yet to put the top slab. I did this because I have a passion for farming which has been affected by the drought problem in our area. Since I have a huge land, I will be able to implement this and I will do irrigation to plant different fruits and vegetables. This will act as my source of income to sustain my household's basic needs. To ensure this comes to reality, I intend to spend $670 of my money to sort out this plan. On the other hand, I will spend the remaining amount to support my son who is about to join a technical institution. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It has been a long time since my 8-acre piece of land was full of green maize. Between the years 2020 and 2022, I did not harvest anything over the last 2 consecutive seasons. This year presents us with a huge blessing since we received heavy rainfall at the beginning of April. I took the challenge and put my focus on tiling my land. Currently, whenever I visit my farm, tears of joy roll down my cheeks because there is a lot of green maize. I am so optimistic about bringing down the problem of food insecurity and also clearing pending debt once I sell the surplus. Hence, I consider this as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability! As I speak, my husband retired as a civil servant, and his monthly pension is $180. Considering that I still have my son who is yet to join college, this has eaten up my mind because the income can not sustain our needs including paying the tuition fee. For this reason, we have been postponing any intake, something that I feel might discourage him. In addition, I have a huge debt of $750 that I borrowed from our silk group to support my son who was in his fourth year on campus. The stress of trying to balance our ends to meet has become a challenge and this is what I consider a menace in my life.