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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life and that of the family are much better than it would have been without the transfer. At the moment, I'm able to sustain my children at school something which could not have been possible. Additionally, their well-being has gratefully improved and so as their grades at school. I am at peace knowing that they will not drop out of school, and all credit goes to givedirectly for walking with us through the journey.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I would say GiveDirectly has done a good job in our village. When I look around people have used monies to improve their lives the best ways they know. Giving people money with no strings attached is the best model because they have different needs and as such it is impactful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have 3 children who are in secondary school and it has been overwhelming for me to cater for their tuition fees and other necessities. Every term, they were sent home and this has been denying them quality time at school. Therefore, when I received the second transfer, I paid the arrears which had accrued to KES 40,000. I also had a desire to rare goats as a future investment, and therefore, I purchased two goats at KES 8,000. I used the remainder on food and other household items like utensils and bedding materials.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around six twenty seven when I received the Mpesa message while serving tea. Being overwhelmed with joy I lost appetite for tea. I immediately called my uncle who's a MoMo agent to confirm if I could withdraw the money, I withdrew and followed it up.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is completion of my house which impossible because of school fees burden.Sleeping in a house without a ceiling board for the past two years has been quite a challenge.At night it would very cold sometimes,but now we can sleep comfortably. I am only planning to furnish my house with furniture from the next transfers.My children are now more neat and well fed. I have peace of mind and very happy when I see my heifer grazing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 150USD of my transfer on completion of house which was incomplete because for the past two years because it lacked ceiling boards and some doors. I spent 300USD on a heifer which is currently pregnant as an addition to the one I had in order to increase milk production because I do milk business. I spent 100USD on clothing because I been concentrating on school fees payment for a long time and there's been a prolonged dry spell in our place hence wouldn't buy clothing. I spent 60USD on two maize bags as food because all my kids are now home due to Covid 19.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Schools will soon reopen after the closure due to Covid-19. This money has come in handy to support me in paying school fees for my three children in secondary school. Buying a dairy cow at a cost of $300 is also part of my plan upon receiving this money. This will help me save $1.2 that I usually spend buying milk for my family consumption and the accumulated savings will in turn be part of next year's school fees. I will then use the remaining part of my funds to buy household furniture and food stuff for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my mornings tilling, planting as well as harvesting vegetables in my farm. Waking up feeling energised for the day is the time I am most happy since I need the energy to keep me productive in the farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Land unproductivity as a result of unpredictable weather patterns in this region has resulted to poor yields thus low harvests. Farming has been my main source of livelihood ever since, but is no longer dependeble due to the challenges experienced. Supporting my family needs and more so education and food is therefore the biggest hardship I face.
