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 ($525 USD)
access_time 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 than how it would have been had I never received my transfers because I no longer buy milk. Due to this, I have been able to save the money I would otherwise use in buying milk. Also, I have been able to pay most school fees for my children without taking a loan or selling some of my assets. This has enabled me to have enough time to look for next terms school fees whole my children study without being interrupted by being sent back home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by giving us aid in form of cash so that we could spend it on our priorities.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 35000 to pay school fees for my son in college. I decided on this so that he would be allowed to sit for his end of semester examinations as they had been informed that all those with fee arrears would not sit for their examinations. Also, I spent some amount to pay school fees for my daughter who had been sent back home. I used the remaining amount to buy enough food for my family and school shoes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk and it was so costly for me. I depend on casual jobs in the village and the little money I get from was not enough to meet all the basic needs of the family thus sometimes we could even miss having breakfast. I do horticulture farming on my farm and this has enabled me to earn an income to pay school fees for my children and the surplus I sell at the market to meet other households basic needs. Currently, I have enough milk for my family use and the rest I sell at the shopping center to earn an income to pay part of the school fees for my children. we no longer miss having breakfast like we used to do before. My children are very happy they are no longer sent home to collect the school fees because I pay their fees on time. We are so grateful for the support, our living standard has changed.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy because I had never received such amount of money before. I remember it was very early in the morning when my children were checking my phone as usually to update me. They told me that GiveDirectly had sent the money. I could not believe it because I thought it could take a longer time. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow which had always been my dream. My children were so happy because they knew that their school fees will be cleared.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I depend on both casual jobs and horticulture farming to earn a living. My family basic needs have been overwhelming that I had just focused on the daily basic needs and my children education. I had a goal of buying a dairy cow since I knew it will reduce my daily expenditures on milk and its offsprings could help me meet other financial needs but this could not be realized due to the scarce resources. When I received my first transfer I spent part of it to buy a dairy cow that helped me reduce my daily expenses. Apart from this, I also used a portion to build a decent house. I took some amount to pay school fees for my children in secondary school and the remaining I spent on household daily expenditures.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock ownership is deemed a sign of wealth in my community. This is because most people depend on them as sustainable source of income for their children's education. On this ground, I am planning to invest my transfers to purchase two dairy cows so as to secure my children's future through education. One of my children is joining secondary school come next year and it's going to be an uphill task without a source of income. I will use the remaining amount to meet the costs of such enablers of their good education as reading materials, uniforms and foodstuff.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a casual jobs dependant, securing a job in my village is not guaranteed. Whenever I get one, I would be happy in the evening to go home with food for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
To say that most parents will sacrifice for the welfare of their children cannot be gainsaid. When my first born son joined Kericho Teachers College two years ago, I sold all the livestock I had to finance his education. They were the only property and source of income I had. This sacrifice condemned me to extreme poverty and malnutrition. I had to work more casual jobs in the village to provide for a trailer of my other children.
