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 ($478 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had a goal of buying a heifer since I had been buying milk every day and it was very costly. I am happy that I have one and can supply us enough milk.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly did a tremendous job by enabling each individual in my village to access this cash transfer so that they can improve their lives.In my opinion, there is nothing that Givedirectly didn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receipt of my second transfer, I went ahead and purchased a dairy cow which costed Ksh.16,000 which has enabled me to cut the cost of buying milk on a daily basis.I then spent Ksh.22,000 to buy furniture and spent the remaining on tilling the land and bought maize seedlings for planting which will sustain us for long.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($507 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I saw the Mpesa alert, I told myself this is the time I have been waiting for to improve my living standards, I was at how relaxing, I could not hide my joy because it was written all over my face, I did not even explain to my wife, the smile and happiness made her guess that the money was here already. Indeed it was a memorable moment for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I now own two big dairy cows, which am hopeful that shortly, I will have an adequate surplus of milk to sell in the village, my family will also benefit from it, I no longer worry about spending money daily on milk like before, Am hopeful that, with the little savings I get, I will be able to broaden further by bringing in more dairy cows, the sky is the limit, I am grateful that my dreams have been realised within a short period, My life has changed to a better one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work has masonry in the village, I don't have a reliable source of income due to the rural setup, people are not building houses daily due to financial constraints, I usually spend $4 daily on milk consumption, Therefore When I received my transfer, I purchased two dairy cows worth $54 to cut down on the cost of milk, the money came as a big relief to me, and am grateful that all this was realised.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In our culture, paying dowry after marrying someone's daughter is a customary exercise. This obligation needs cash as well as livestock in exchange of the woman. My wife and I have lived together for the past one year. All this time, my shoulders have been heavy with the burden of shame and guilt having not paid my parents in-law. With the GiveDirectly money, I will spend $400 from the first transfer to buy 4 young bulls worth $100 each. My plan is to look after them until they are grown enough to grace my father in law's compound in the next one year, thus regain my pride. This is what receiving this money mean to new.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My father owns a motorcycle taxi. Around 4 days a week, I would borrow his motorcycle in the evening for business so as to earn a coin. I would make an average of $3 each day. This makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Two years ago, I completed a masonry course in a polytechnic institute nearby. To my unpleasant surprise, it has been hard to come by jobs to do. Even worse, I have a 3 month old baby whose mother requires not only food but balanced diet to breastfeed our baby. What has been my biggest worry is not being able to provide for my family especially my wife with food, without which my baby will not grow healthy.
