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 ($518 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?
I did not have a pair of oxen and during the planting season, I was hiring from my neighbours and paying for the services. I am currently using my own pair of oxen to plough my farm. I no longer have to hire from anyone. I also cleared school fees for my children on time and they are in school unlike before when they would be sent home for failing to pay for them on time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
There are no complains from our area which means that GiveDirectly has done well in its operations. Everything they did was perfect from choosing the needy households to receiving the transfer. I don't think there is anything that it doesn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on purchasing building materials in order to build a house for my children. They were sheltering in the neighbourhood at night. I am happy they are no longer troubled on shelter. I also bought an ox plough to use with my pair of oxen in ploughing my farm. I also paid school fees for my children and spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Preparing land before planting is one of the most important processes in my small scale farming. It would take a whole month to cultivate an acre using farm tools like the hoes which are not effective. The pair of oxen that I acquired through the transfer I received from GiveDirectly will enable me to take less time since the pair can only take four days to plough an acre. I am glad that with the pair, timely cultivation is assured for its the nearest affordable tool available. Owning this pair makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message on my phone early in the morning. On checking to confirm who the sender was, the message was from GiveDirectly informing me that my first transfer had finally been sent. I was filled with happiness at that instant and I am always thankful to God and to GiveDirectly for fulfilling their promise to us.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used KES 30,000 from my transfer to buy a pair of oxen. By possessing this pair, then I am assured of doing my farming timely as well as ploughing a bigger acreage for maximum harvests. I will also be hiring to my neighbours at a fee which to me is a source of income. In addition to this, I built a house for my children. My own house was small and could not accommodate us all forcing my children to seek shelter from neighbours. Having their own house to shelter will ensure that they no longer have to wander in search for a place to sleep. I bought building poles and iron sheets for the construction of their house which is now complete. I also paid for my children's school fees in advance for the whole term. They are comfortable in school which gives me enough time to prepare for the next terms fee. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for financial help.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I can hardly harvest half a bag of maize from my field each season which is barely enough to feed my 8 children. Receiving this money means a great deal to my family. Therefore, I will use part of my transfer to purchase oxen and an ox plow, something that will enable me to till my land efficiently and in good time. In the coming seasons, I expect to harvest 5 to 7 bags of maize from the exact size of land. Secondly, I would wish my children could sleep in a more comfortable place. Currently, they all sleep in one corner of the house, the 8 of them. It is congested and sometimes can suffocate at night. As such, I will expand my house so that it can accommodate all of us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the evening. Unlike the rest of the day, it is in the evening when I get more time to rest and bond with my brothers in our favorite spot - under the shade. Normally, my day starts at five in the morning and it is always packed up with a series of activities here and there. In the morning, I attend to my cattle up until noon. The toughest part is getting them water from a water pan, which is over 10 kilometers away.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When hunger strikes, no one is spared. It always breaks my heart when am incapable of providing basic necessities like food and education for my family all because of unreliable sources of income. This has seen us spend most of our nights hungry and some of the children submit their dreams of attaining the highest level of education. Now that Give directly has come through, I will be in a capacity to bring the lost opportunity back. To fill this gap, I will start-up livestock trade, a business that will generate an income that can help me cater to the family's needs.
