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 ($526 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I now own a pair of oxen which has been the main attribute to food security in my household. This because the pair has been very useful in cultivating a bigger area of my farm as compared to tilling this land by myself. On a few occasions, I have been able to hire this pair to my neighbors and earn extra income to settle my primary and secondary needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well through assisting my community in away that no other Non profitable organization has ever done in my community with the idea of giving money to the poor like us to meet our individual pressing needs. GiveDirectly did not do anything wrong from enrollment to the end of the project in my community.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy a pair of oxen that assists me to cultivate my farm on time as compared with tilling the land by myself. Planting a bigger piece of land will tackle food security in my household. I also bought food for my family's consumption with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
We had acquired a motorcycle on loan from which we were paying in instalments from the income it generates. It was my expectation that we complete paying for this loan so as to have full possession of it. However, the outstanding balance was huge compared to the daily income we were getting from its services that we needed to support our daily household needs and to service the loan. I thank GiveDirectly because the transfer has reduced this loan to a considerable amount. I am happy because clearing the remaining amount won't be a big task for us. To me, this is the biggest difference in my daily life because I am sure it won't take us long to gain full ownership and getting our own income daily to meet our household needs and educating our children through it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message early that morning and on checking, I realized it was from GiveDirectly notifying me that I had received KES 55000 from them. I felt happy because I knew the money would help me to reduce a loan that had been really troubling me for long.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer to repay a loan I had taken to buy a motorcycle. I was expected to service this loan through the daily income from the services offered through the motorcycle, however, it wasn't enough. My first transfer has enabled me to reduce the loan thus paying for the outstanding won't be a big problem for us. In addition, I also spent KES 17000 to purchase an ox so that I would make a pair to aid me in my farming. I am glad that I will no longer be hiring from neighbours as it used to be instead I will be hiring to them at a fee. I also spent KES 3000 to pay for my children's school fees. This will allow them to comfortably continue with their studies. I used the remaining amount to cover for other household needs and expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a financial stable home for us. My husband works as a "tuktuk" driver in Mombasa but his job is not reliable because he only gets contracted for just 2 to 3 days a week. We plan to create a more stable source of income by purchasing a motorcycle that he will be operating in Bamba center where he will make more money. We will then be able to meet our needs of food, housing and education for our children much easier.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at night when am sleeping after a long day of doing hard chores such as fetching water which we now get 10 kilometers away from home.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is our main struggle. The unreliable pay from "tuktuk" driving which my husband does to support us has greatly hindered us from sufficiently providing for our family. He only gets to drive thrice a week which earns him roughly five dollars. It has been our desire to rebuild the walls of our house using cement to make them more durable. This is because the mud currently used keeps shedding off due to increased contact with water, forcing us to frequently replace the mud which is time consuming and energy draining. However, the financial muscle required to meet this need has been lacking because we prioritize other needs such as food, water and education.
