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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($464 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I had never owned a cow before, I prioritized investing my transfer on buying a cow. From it, I shall be able to get free milk hence I will no longer spend money on buying milk for my child. Immediately I accomplished this, I developed a new goal of buying a parcel of land. Currently, I am living at my in-laws' compound though I desire to be in my own home where I can do some personal development such as poultry farming as well as rearing livestock. I have not been able to do any project before because the compound looks small and there are a number of households. Currently, I have saved 30,000 KES with an intention to raise additional money that I will top up in order to buy a parcel of land.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In comparison to other humanitarian organizations, GiveDirectly does well in giving cash to its potential recipients. This gives them room for every recipient to decide on what to do with the transfers. Secondly, GiveDirectly does well in creating awareness to the community on its program thus it does not coerce anyone to take part in the same. In my opinion, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
From my most recent transfer, I spent 5,000 KES on completing building a pit latrine that I had begun about 6 months ago. Previously, I had been using a pit latrine that was in a very bad condition, both of its floor and its walls were weak, and were afraid that it would collapse anytime. With the new pit latrine, we are not only comfortable using it but also assured of our safety. I also spent 9,000 KES on buying a new set of utensils. As a result, I will be saved from the shame of always borrowing such items from the neighborhood whenever I have guests. I saved the rest of the transfer for my future use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9.30pm when I had just retired to bed when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received the eagerly awaited KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and slept happily that night.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is owning a heifer which will soon become a dairy cow. I had desired to have one for the past five years but couldn't afford due to my low income from casual labor.Through the transfers, I have also managed to buy extra beddings for my kids because the older one has started school and therefore needs to sleep alone.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES22000 on a heifer because it will be a source of income and long-term investment for my family. Currently, I buy two litres per day which is quite costly but this will soon be no more once my heifer gives birth.I spent KES20000 on a bed, beddings, and clothing. I also spent KES4500 on a goat and KES3000 on food and household items.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means increasing my sources of income. At the moment my husband, a security officer, is the sole provider for our family of four. Our children are still young, one in primary school. He makes approximately KES 20,000 a month which goes to paying school and meeting household needs like food. We purchase most of the foodstuffs as we own a small farm which is not enough for us to produce our food. With this money, I plan to purchase two dairy cows of approximately KES 80,000. For the rest of the amount, I will buy food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was blessed with a baby girl six months ago, nine years after my firstborn. This is my second-born child. I was elated the first time I realized I was expecting and I am grateful that I delivered safely and so far we are healthy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge is financial constraints. I'm a stay at mom while my husband who is a security officer is the sole provider. We own less than an acre farm which we use most of it as a vegetable garden. This means we purchase most of the foodstuffs from the market costing us approximately KES 10,000 a month since we have two young children. We find ourselves straining a lot as we try to meet our needs and plan for our future and the same time.
