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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($333 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, life was a constant struggle for my family. With five children and my husband unemployed, we found it difficult to make ends meet. My days were spent gathering firewood and making charcoal, earning only meager amounts of money. Sometimes, we couldn't even find buyers for our firewood or charcoal, leaving us no choice but to borrow from the local shop and sink deeper into debt.Fetching water was yet another challenge. We had to trek long distances over rugged terrain just to bring back water. It was exhausting and consumed a lot of time. However, after receiving the cash, I resolved to make some changes for the better. I allocated $150 to buy food, ensuring that my family had enough to eat. Then, I decided to invest $260 in a water tank, enabling us to collect rainwater during the rainy season and significantly easing our burden.In addition, I spent $40 on maize seeds, with the plan to grow our own food. Now, instead of relying on purchasing food, we can cultivate some of our own, reducing our expenses and providing us with nutritious meals. Life isn't perfect, but it has improved. I no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from, and the struggle of fetching water has been alleviated. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to enhance our lives and offer a brighter future for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
After learning about GiveDirectly, I found it really easy to understand. We're actually really happy about their culture of helping people willingly and changing the lives of poor people. Because of them, my life has gotten a lot better. Now, I have a water tank, something I've always wanted but couldn't afford. I hope wherever they go, they're welcomed warmly.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Now that my life has taken a new turn, my focus has shifted towards agriculture. I intend to dedicate myself to planting maize. With this decision, I am confident that I will yield an abundant harvest. The surplus from my farm produce will allow me to invest in livestock, specifically cows and goats. Owning livestock will not only provide me with milk and meat, eliminating the need to purchase them from shops, but it will also bring joy to my children.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($281 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving my recent transfer, I utilized the $310 to establish a kitchen and a pit latrine. Previously, our cooking activities took place outdoors, leaving us missing meals during rainy seasons. However, the lack of proper sanitation facilities led to the discomfort of using the bush as a toilet, which was sometimes embarrassing.Out of the total amount received, $125 was allocated towards purchasing food. We depend on income we,I and my Husband generate from charcoal burning and selling firewood. Feeding our family of six has been challenging, particularly when market opportunities are limited.The remaining funds were directed towards acquiring petrol for a power generator essential for irrigating our nearly mature half-hectare bean farm. I prefer beans due to their tolerant to drought conditions and their lower water requirements.My gratitude towards GiveDirect for improving the quality of life I am living now.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support from GiveDirectly has left a lasting impression on me, and I am deeply grateful. Without their assistance, my family wouldn't be experiencing the comfort we now enjoy. I pray for the company's continued growth, hoping they can extend their help to others in need, just as they have helped us.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With an eye toward the future, I have set my sights on next year's agricultural endeavors. I intend to cultivate two hectares of maize, confident that a successful harvest will yield approximately 40 bags. Selling a portion of this harvest will provide the capital needed to invest in goats, which thrive in our region. As they multiply, these goats will serve as a reliable source of emergency funds because they have available markets.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($131 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving $200 I used $75 in my which was untouched due to lack of finances. Finally, I had the means to tend to it. With $45, I secured a plow, breaking the earth. The remaining $30 was devoted to maize seeds and planting. This was meant to sustain the future of my family of six which has been a constant worry. Our unreliable income from selling firewood and charcoal barely covered our needs. Maize felt like security, promising a harvest that would ward off hunger. Then, there was the house. Its mud floor proved no match for the relentless ant armies. They invaded, threatening the very structure and our few belongings. With $64, I purchased cement bags to change the state of the floor so that Ants would no longer reign supreme. As for furniture, a solitary chair bore witness to our struggles. I resolved to change that. Three plastic chairs found their way into our humble abode, a modest but significant improvement at $18. With the remaining $43, I secured food which brought relief, our children could find food on the table. The weight lifted off my shoulders and For the first time in a while, hope found its way back into our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving the cash from GiveDirectly has utterly transformed our lives, filling them with newfound positivity. Gone are the days of enduring hardship, assisting my husband in selling charcoal and firewood while carrying the weight of pregnancy. Life has taken a remarkable turn. Now, we sit at a table graced with food, a testament to the security we've found. The maize farm stands tall, a symbol of our assured future. No longer dealing with an invasion of ants in our home; the floor, once a vulnerability, is now fortified. I can't express enough gratitude to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support. Their contribution has not only alleviated our immediate struggles but has fundamentally reshaped our future, offering a sense of stability and hope that we've long yearned for.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home breastfeeding my one months old baby when I received a message confirming the receipt of $200 from GiveDirectly. Instantly, joy and happiness flooded over me, a smile stretching across my face. Eagerly, I awaited my husband's return; he had gone out to sell firewood and charcoal, our primary source of income. When he finally arrived, I couldn't contain the news, shared it with him, and his face lit up with excitement. Without delay, we sat down together and meticulously budgeted the amount to address our most pressing needs.
Enrolled
access_time 11 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The most hard hitting problem for our family is food insecurity. Elongated drought has meant that we've not harvested well for the last 4 years. Farm productivity has been very low to zero. This has affected our food supply and drained our ability to farming. We've lost a lot of money due to the drought. This means we depend on casual jobs such as working people's farms (those who have access to water for irrigation ), fetching firewood for sell and burning charcoal. It's hard, since the money earned can hardly support our family of five. One is paid $3 per day. This is not enough because of the high cost of living. It's difficult putting a stable food on the table for our family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We own about 40 goats, it's a joy grazing them. They bring a lot of benefits, such as milk, meat and for sell during emergencies. It has been a dependable source of income for us. It makes us happy.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Drought has led to food insecurity, we plan to solve this by buying food. We'll spend approximately $150, that's buying maize, beans and other household items. This will give us food security for at least 3 months.
Due due long distance covered to fetch water from the bore hole which is about 7 kilometers. It's also straining walking that far. We plan to buy a 5000 liters water tank. This will help us harvest rain water or hire water suppliers during drought seasons. It will cost about $300. This will give us enough water for domestic use. Our goats will also not travel far to drink water.
We also plan to buy a cow, it will provide us with more milk. We can sell and also use some at home. We will plant enough grass on a portion of our land. Grass grow well here since they need little water supply. This will cost us approximately $600, which includes planting grass.