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 ($517 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 house at first thus it was troubling us, having a big family with seven children. I am grateful to GiveDirectly since the money has enabled me to build a good house to live with my family. I also have a pair of oxen that will greatly help me to do my farming timely for a good harvest. I used to hire from neighbours during the planting season which was costly. Having my own pair has relieved me of hiring, instead I will hire to them at a fee earn an income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly directly has done well in giving us the transfer to change our living standards. We were in poverty before their coming but we are now accessing better shelter, having livestock and taking our children to school. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the second transfer on purchasing a pair of oxen worthy KES 28000 to help me in ploughing my farm. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and other basic needs. I also paid for my children's school fees for them to continue with their studies without any interruptions.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to buy two bulls. I will rest from the hard work of tilling my land during the planting seasons. I will work faster and cultivate a larger area of land which will guarantee me more harvest in the next season. As a farmer having the best working animals to do the work is the best thing ever because you no longer start getting worried about unknown uncertainties.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer, I felt very happy. It was around 5:00 am in the morning that I received the message. The first person that I told the good news was my husband. He was also happy to hear that the transfer was finally sent to our account. We decided to go and look for our helper after some hours who withdrew the money and gave it to us. We started planning on how to use the money right there and then. I am just grateful because I managed to achieve some of my goals courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a large portion of my transfer on purchasing two bulls. I have been ploughing my piece of land by myself which is usually not effective because I will end up planting a small piece of land hence few harvests. Since I could also not afford to hire labor worsened the situation. As people harvested several sacks I could end up with only half a sack that could not last for a long time. Apart from buying the bulls, I also bought 17 pieces of irons sheets and timber. I want to build a house because currently, I stay in a small one which is not convenient considering the size of my family. Part of the money was spent on food that would last us for a while and finally paid fee arrears for my kids so that they would not be sent home.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to greatly improve my family's financial status. For a long time, I have relied on burning charcoal as my source of income but ever since the government placed a ban on it,life has become really difficult. The casual jobs that I do are not reliable at all and on many occasions we have been forced to skip meals. However, with this money,I see our situation changing for the better. I plan to start a livestock trade business within our market of Bamba since the business is very lucrative. I will also buy two oxen and an ox plough which will enable me to plough a larger portion of my land thus making my family to be food secure. The oxen will also be hired out to other farmers in the region at a fee thus enabling me to generate more income to take care of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
From morning until afternoon hours, I spend the better part of my day outdoors, working in other peoples farms or herding their livestock in order to get some income. These activities are very tiresome more so when coupled with the steaming heat of the sun and by evening when I return home,I normally feel very happy when i am resting under the shade of my house as my children massage for me my aching limbs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is financial instability. Eversince the government placed a ban on burning of charcoal,getting money to take care of my children's needs has turned into an uphill task. Presently,the six of us are forced to squeeze in a one roomed structure that has only a polythene bag in its place for a roof. Whenever it rains,we are all forced to relocate to my other relatives houses. It has become even impossible to recall when we last ate three meals consistently per day,on most occasions,we tend to skip lunch so that we save the little we have for supper.Seeing my children going through all this suffering pains me a lot because like all parents,I really want to provide for them a comfortable life.
