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 ($515 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?
My life is different from how it was in that, I was able to buy a dairy cow and pay school fees for my two children who joined high school. I could have sold my cow to see them through high school but the transfer came in handy. My gratitude goes to them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly did well was uplifting our living standards. A lost hope was restored. Most of the people were able to build houses in our village, paying school fees and buy. Nothing went wrong all through the process of their program.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the whole of my second transfer on paying school fees for my two children who were joining high school. I was to sell my cattle in order to pay the full amount that was needed but I thank GiveDirectly because the money came in handy. The best gift that GiveDirectly rewarded me was keeping my cow which is one of the important assets that I have. I thank them for this step in life since were it not for the transfer, I could have moved a step backward.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the dairy cow that I have bought. I feel proud that I can now raise enough income to raise my family and give them better living standards. I also paid my school fees in time for the first time having always struggled to raise school fees. This meant that my child had ample time to study in school. This is the biggest difference in my daily life that was brought about by this transfer and I felt so much indebted to GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. Everyone in the village woke up as early as 5:00 am that day and went straight to town to withdraw and even spend their money. We ourselves remained calm and embarked on planning how we were going to spend our money. It was after two days from the time the money was sent that we decided to go and withdraw our money since we were well aware of what we were going to spend the money on.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my first transfer to buy a cow and used the remaining amount to pay school fees for my child who is in secondary school. I also used a smaller portion to buy basic household commodities. I have since been able to provide ably for my family without having to worry of where I would get income to gather for my family's needs. The surplus milk produced is also of great help and assistance to us as a family since it is a source of income for my family and which has greatly improved the living standards of my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
School fees has been a burden for me for a long time.I am glad that Give Directly has come at a time that is very crucial.Next year two of my children will be joining secondary school while another will be joining college.I also have one child who is in his final year of college.The money from GD will go a long way in helping my children realize their education dreams.This will take upto 80% of the money.I will use the remaining amount(300 USD) to buy a dairy cow.I have seen the benefit of owning cows since it has helped a lot in the education for my children.With the milk that I sell I will be able to save and pay school fees for the kids.The offsprings also play a big part in paying for the school fees and buying them personal effects.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend my morning hours till noon working in my farm.In the afternoon I look after my cows around the compound as I do fence repairs.Evening is the happiest part of my day after seeing off a successful day.This gives me time to interact with friends and relatives.I sometimes visit them while they visit me at times.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Depending on livestock and crop farming as my main source of income has been a major challenge for me.This is due to the long dry spells and diseases.I was once a large scale livestock farmer but a disease by the name ECF cleared almost my whole shed.More than 10 cattle died of the disease.This was a huge set back for me.On the side of crop farming,maize; which is our staple food has not been doing well for about 10 years now.This is also due to the long dry spells,unpredicatble weather and crop disease.I rely heavily on farming and that is why it has affected my income.Providing basic needs and education for my family has turned out to be an uphill task.
