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 ($506 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have always thought of investing in livestock which to us are assets of value. I couldn't have purchased any considering that I do not have a source of income. However, through the coming of GiveDirectly, I am now boasting of owning two heifers, a pair of oxen and I have recently begun a poultry project. These are assets that I can readily rely on whenever I need to raise some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in improving our lives by giving us the transfer and plan for ourselves. We were able to build new houses and own livestock which are to us treasured assets. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 40000 of my second transfer on buying a pair of oxen. I am currently keeping them in my homestead and I am expecting them to aid me in doing my farming timely. I am hoping to get a better harvest as I will fully cultivate my farm through this pair of oxen. I spent the remaining amount to buy some building materials that include pieces of iron sheets and timber to build a cowshed for my livestock.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I am grateful to GiveDirectly because for the first time now, I will be using my own pair of oxen to plough my farm. Previously, I would hire from my neighbours which was a bit costly and whenever I did not have enough cash, then I would only use hoes which were ineffective. Thus, a larger acreage would be left uncultivated. I am now happy that owning this pair will make my farming much easier and cheaper. I am expecting a better harvest which would ensure food security for my family and surplus produce to sell for an income. I feel having this pair of oxen is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message early that morning when I was already on my farm weeding my plants. I curiously checked to see who could have sent me a message and to my surprise, I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and immediately broke the news to my family and we rejoiced together for the financial support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 to purchase a pair of oxen. I have been using only hoes which are not effective in my a large acreage of my land. I was not able to prepare my farm on time. As a farmer, I always desire to do my farming effectively for a better harvest which would ensure that my family is well-fed and for a much longer time. I am glad that my farming has been boosted through the acquisition of this pair. I also spent KES 5000 to buy some household items and clothing for my family. I am also in the process of implementing a poultry project which I am venturing in. I bought several chickens and feeds and even built a nice structure for them using this money. I will be selling them in the near future to meet my financial needs.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the past 14years that I have been married, I have not been able to bear children due to an unknown medical condition that I suffer from. Since I have no money, seeking for proper diagnosis has remained a dream yet my greatest wish is to be a mother. Therefore, with this money, I will prioritize seeking for medical help with the first transfer. With the second part, I plan to invest roughly ksh.20,000 in my poultry keeping business that has dwindled greatly due to lack of money to build them a decent shelter buy feeds and even vaccines.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel very happy in the evening when I return home from the fields where I spend the better part of my day tending to my charcoal trade.It is normally so engaging in that when I wake up, after completing my household chores, I head out to the fields to cut the logs,ferry them back home and set the furnance. This process is very tiring and by evening, I only look forward to resting.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It is every married woman's dream to bear children and more so in our Giriama culture where having a child is the greatest treasure. However, this great blessing has not been my portion. For the past 14 years that I have been married , I have not been able to bear children. This condition has been brought about by a condition that I believe I suffer from but has not yet been medically diagnosed since I have no money to seek for treatment. All I know is that I suffer from severe stomach pains.I have tried all traditional medicines but to no avail. As a result,my husband ended up marrying a second wife and they currently have children. My childlessness really saddens me and I greatly wish to go for treatment. Thus financial constraint to seek medical help is the biggest hardship that I face.
