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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Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the cow that I have bought and the newly built house. I had the desire of executing these development programs but I had not been able to do it due to financial difficulties. When I received this money, I made sure that I had my plans running and I feel proud of the achievements so far.On top of these, the transfer also reduced my borrowing habits since for once I got money of my own and ceased to depend on borrowed money. This is the greatest difference in my daily life that came about because of this money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I was still sleeping and I told my child to check out the message for me early that morning. On checking the message I felt so elated to learn that I had indeed received the money as earlier promised by GiveDirectly agents. It did not escape me for once that my plans were finally going to be realized.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my first transfer to buy a cow and used the remaining amount to build a new house. I chose to build a new house since the house that I was staying in was very small and a little too dusty to maintain. This was also a threat to my health and I was always looking forward to building a new one. The dairy cow shall also be so beneficial to me when it reproduces since I will have more milk produced that can be sold to meet other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means more independence and dignity for my old age. Using the first transfer I am aspiring to buy a dairy cow which will be my dependent source of income for household necessities like food and inputs for my farm.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am over 70 years old. I earn my livelihood from one dairy cow left to me by my late husband. My grandchildren help to tend this cow every late in the afternoon when they come home from school. Milking my cow in the evening makes me happy. This assures me of a meal at the end of the day and a few shillings out of sale of surplus milk.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Two years ago I lost my son. He left behind a widow and 6 children who depend on me. Coming through for them has been hard because I am old and without a sustainable source of income except for one dairy cow and an unproductive piece of land due to perennial droughts and soil borne diseases. I am afraid that they will face more problems and neglect after I am gone.
