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 ($527 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has improved because I am financially better off than before GIveDirectly came. I bought a cow giving me, constantly, about KES 100 per day. Before this, I used to rely on farming crops that would give any proceeds only after several months. Because of this improvement in my life, I can save some money for future use especially in meeting school fees needs that I am just about to face in one year's time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly served us well by pushing our limits further by helping us to establish sources of income that had been very elusive. I feel that I am now capable of breaking away from poverty since I earn a daily income from milk. I never had this before, It is a wonderful change in my life.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money that I received on the second transfer on buying a dairy cow and its calf. The two animals' cost was KES 50000. I chose to spend it on a cow that is ongoing with milk production so that I can continue with getting money from selling it. I then bought maize for food in the household.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Ever since I received my transfer, I have witnessed a great change in my daily life. This is because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow just like other people in my village. When it reproduces, I will be able to earn an income through milk sales ad also save the money I would otherwise use in buying milk. I will be using the money from this dairy project to meet my daily needs. Also, it is an asset to me which will be of great help in case of a financial crisis as I can sell the heifers to get money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 6 am as I was going through my phone when I realized that I had an unread message. Upon reading its contents, my heart was filled with so much joy as the message indicated that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This was my first time to ever receive such an amount of money in my entire life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent part of it to start a poultry keeping project. I was able to buy 50 chicken and two sacks of chicken feed as a way of starting this project. I settled on this since it is something you can rely on in case of an emergency. Also, this project can run smoothly alongside other projects. Buying milk has been my routine and it is always costly. Due to this, I decided to buy a dairy cow worth KES 25000 using my transfer. When it reproduces, I will be able to save the money I would otherwise use in buying milk. Also, I will be able to earn an income through milk sales. I used the remaining amount to buy for myself some decent clothes.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to start up my own poultry farm.It is something that I have always desired to do but I have not had the ability to due to high start up costs.With this money,I will first build a poultry house,buy chicken and thereafter a good supply of feeds.With the remainder,I will save up and eventually buy a heifer
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work as a casual labourer/caretaker for a family that lives in the capital city,Nairobi.There is always alot to do around the farm;milking and feeding the dairy cows,weeding the garden or maintaining the compound.I get so busy with these the entire morning and part of the afternoon and there is hardly any time to rest.In the evening,I manage to get time to stroll to the nearest center where I meet with friends and have a chat: this relaxes my mind and makes me happy.This makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I completed my primary school in the year 2000 and could not proceed to Secondary school even though I really wanted to.This is because my parents could not afford to pay for my secondary school fees.I therefore had to look for a casual job to help my parents with the expenses at home.Life has since been difficult considering that I have not acquired any skills that can help me earn a living and I have had to be a casual labourer ever since.Working as that does not even allow me to save enough to improve my life or start my own family even though I have come of age.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
