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 ($388 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Aside from my grocery business, which I run with passion to support my family of five, I also practice crop farming. Therefore, for the coming year, I hope to cultivate more maize and beans on my 1/2-acre piece of land. From the produce, I will gladly pay for school fees for my children in grades 10 and 11, as well as produce enough food for my household. I will be happy that my financial status will be boosted and I will not have to worry about an alternative source of income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my entire life, I had never come across an organization like GiveDirectly. I appreciate the initiative to lift people out of poverty by providing unconditional cash transfers. If you are to visit my village today, then you will recognize a change in lifestyle since the community members have made informed decisions that impact their lives positively. For instance, people have built houses, educated their children, and purchased food for their households. The change is noticeable, so to speak, and I never wish them to change a thing in their work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In the Kalenjin culture, owning a cow is a sign of wealth, as the family benefits both financially from the milk production and from the sales of the animals. As a result, I spent $220 on purchasing a cow that is about to give birth, as I currently have none after selling them all to cater for school fees for my children. In addition to this, I also paid $200 in school fees for my children in grades 10 and 11, respectively. I am now relieved that the arrears for this year have been cleared, and now I can concentrate on other family errands. Consequently, I used the rest of the transfers to purchase a bag of maize and clothing for my family of 5. I am happy to save the profits I earn from the grocery business I run so as to cater for next year's school fees for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($418 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had taken my son to school, who was beginning his secondary school studies, and on my way back, I was thrilled to receive the much-needed money. I couldn't help but be extremely happy about the news. When I got home, I quickly prepared myself and went back to the nearby shopping center to collect the money. The thought of having enough money to pay my son's entire school fees brought me indescribable relief and happiness. The sense of accomplishment was imminent, and it inspired me to work even harder to improve our living conditions. I am confident that with GiveDirectly's help, I will be able to continue to provide for my family and make a better life for us all.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the construction of a new house for my son. He will no longer have to search for a place to sleep at his elder brother's home and will now have adequate space to study after school and sleep comfortably. Additionally, I paid for his school fees, ensuring that he can attend all classes without being sent home. I am appreciative of the support received from GiveDirectly, and I look forward to seeing further improvements in our household in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a businesswoman with a grocery stall that could not generate enough income to cater for my financial needs, I was relieved when I received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. With the funds, I cleared tuition and remedial fees for my son, totaling $70. This was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders, and it gave me peace of mind knowing that my son could continue with his education uninterrupted. In addition to paying for my son's education, I also used the transfer to construct a new house for him. Previously, my son had been sleeping at his elder brother's house, which was not an ideal situation since he needed ample space to study and sleep after school. The new house, constructed with 14 iron sheets purchased at $7 each, provided him with the privacy and space he needed. i am glad that the construction is complete after paying the labor charges of $30. With the remaining amount, I bought clothes worth $50 and food for my family of five. The support from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference in our lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to improve our living conditions.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a lot of life changing plans that I intend to use the transfer on. One of my top plans is to use this money to pay school fees for one of my children who had to drop out of school due to lack of money from my end. This has been so disturbing to me but there is little that I could do to take her back. I also have plans of paying school fees for my son who recently concluded his primary education and is yet to join secondary school. I am particularly happy that their dreams will be rejuvenated and their hope for a brighter future shall too be actualized. Once I am done with settling my children in school then I have great plans of investing the remaining amount on livestock. This is to act as a savings plan as this money will help me keep my children in school even in the near future. I am so much eager to receive e the transfers from GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the last six months I cannot really point at a thing that has brought joy and happiness in my life. Life has been really tough for us as a family. The harsh climatic conditions have made the situation even worse. Despite this, I have managed to push on since I know that my children have just me a lone for a father and mother. It is probably the news about the coming back of GiveDirectly to our village that has radiated hope and happiness in me and my family. This has ignited hope of me taking back my daughter back to school who had dropped out because of lack of school fees. It has also come at a time when we were staring at my last born son failing to join secondary school despite his efforts to give good marks in the recently concluded primary examinations. I now feel very happy as I look forward to receiving the money from GiveDirectly. I will use this money not only to pay school fees but also to buy at least one dairy cow that will help me meet the needs of my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widowed mother of five children. Before my husband passed on, things were a little better for me. This was largely because I received a lot of support from him in running the affairs of our family. Currently, I am left with two children still under my care. The rest have moved in with their spouses and started their families. The two that I am left with are in their secondary level of education. Getting money to pay their school fees has been a toll order for me. This is because I almost entirely depend on small business of selling vegetables at a nearby market to make ends meet. This lack of school fees recently forced one of my daughters to drop out of school. The last born son is yet to join secondary too. This is a huge challenge to me especially when I know that there is no one to run to. I can only hope that things change for the better and I get money to take my two children back to school.
