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 ($531 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Due to inadequate rainfall in our region, so many seasonal rivers have dried up. This would force my wife to travel for long distance on a daily basis looking for water for domestic use. This prompted me to spare part of my transfers to buy a water tank. With this, he will be no longer wasting much time going to fetch water. During the rainy season, we will harvest enough water to take us to the next rainy season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I can say that I GiveDirectly is God's sent organization to our land. Ever since we had never received any more from any charity organization. When GD came to and promise us free money we waited for a short period and they fulfil the promise they had made to us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
The second transfer which I received, I spent it to buy a piece of land for farming. Previously, I had a small portion of land which wasn't enough to carry out meaningful farming. I used the money to buy more land so that I get more space to do what I love which is farming.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Since I was able to connect piped water using my transfers, my daily life has really changed as I am always happy seeing that my children are always clean as they are now able to wash their clothes any time it gets dirty. My children nowadays also have enough time to study in the evening unlike before since they no longer go looking for water. This always thrills my heart as I know that their performance at school will also improve.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 am as I was taking breakfast with my family when I received a message. After reading its content, I was overwhelmed with happiness as it indicated that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This money meant a lot to me as I knew that with them, I would be able to achieve a lot of things. I then shared the good news with my family whom upon hearing, they all started singing happily while praising God.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Water has been a big problem in our region due to lack of enough rain which has led to many rivers drying up. This has always made people go for a long distance looking for them and having to buy them sometimes from people who have piped water. When I received my first transfers, I decided to use part of it in connecting piped water and in buying a water tank so that I will be using it to store water during rainy season. Buying maize in small quantities on a daily basis is quite expensive. I space some amount from my transfers and used them to buy two sacks of maize which I believe that it will last us for some time and it is also relatively cheap. I spent the remaining amount to buy a barbed wire which I am planning to use in fencing my farm after buying timber.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a poultry farmer. Currently, I have approximately 40 chicken. My greatest ambition is to be the best poultry farmer in my village since we have a good market for chicken in my county. Receiving this money therefore gives me an opportunity to expand my poultry farming because I will buy more chicken (approximately 60 chicken) and the best feeds. In the longrun, I will get more income once I sell them at 600 to 800 shillings each depending on the chicken.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day usually starts at 6 am. After I have taken my breakfast, I go to other peoples homes looking to buy chicken. This involves a lot of travelling and in the evening, I come home and relax after a long days hardwork. It is at this time that I am happiest because I know that I have improved my poultry farming.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Poultry farming has its own set of challenges. Currently, my biggest challenge is that I recently bought 10 chicken but later realized that 3 of them were sick when other 7 chicken showed some symptoms of coccidiosis. I dont have enough money to buy medication for the 10 chicken and also feeds for my 40 chicken. It is a challenge for me because I have spent the little resources I had so that I could buy them but in turn, I am running at a loss since I know that some of my chicken will die.
