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 ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to buy a piece of land. We stay in a very small piece of land that does not give us the neccesary space to practice farming in diversity. It is my hope that I will be able to raise enough money through casual work that I do and the merry go round contributions that I participate in to raise enough to buy a piece of land.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us the money without conditions. This gave us the freedom and liberty to choose how the money was going to be of help to us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 25000 to buy a water tank, KES 20000 to improve my house by erecting ceiling boards and installing electricity in it. The little amount that remained after spending the money was used to buy food and clothes for my family. I made a decision to purchase a water tank since we have been having problems of accessing clean drinking water for the longest time that we have lived here. We would be forced to travel for long distances to fetch water in streams and the same water were not even safe for drinking. This consumed a lot of our time and we would only hope that we get some money that would see us buy a water tank. I am particularly very happy to have bought this water tank and brought to an end the endless lack of clean drinking water. We had been unable to do this because getting enough money from our farming practices was nearly impossible. It is for this reason that we are very grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling us realize our dream of access to clean drinking water.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($479 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was in the field. Then suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating. I requested my son to read out the message since I was not conversant with the new phone. Upon reading the message, he broke the news that I had received the promised transfer. I was so happy because I knew that I would be able to accomplish my goals. GiveDirectly has uplifted our lives amazingly thus I am thankful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The fact that I can wake up early in the morning to herd my goats makes me happy and fulfilled. With the school fees responsibilities, I was forced to sell all the animals that I had before. But I am thankful that GiveDirectly gave me a second chance in life for me to start the goat rearing business. I am optimistic that the future is brighter for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I had a written plan on how to spend the money. Thus I used KES 25,000 in starting a goat rearing project. I opted to buy goats because it's easy to manage, at the same time they are drought resistant compared to the cows. Secondly, I knew that with them I would be able to earn an extra income by selling them once they mature. I then used the rest of the money on buying foodstuffs and clothes. I was unable to initiate the project before due to school fees responsibilities since I depended on farming. I am so grateful for the support that empowered us economically.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have always wanted to rear sheep and goats and with this money I can see the dream coming true. We prefer goats because they do not have a lot of work rearing them considering we are also getting old and we will be the one looking after them. I plan to use KES 20,000. For the rest of the amount, we plan to use to construct a kitchen. The one we have at the moment is an old grass thatched house that often leaks. I am great full that that I will be able to achieve all this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Four months ago our calved down and it made me happy since I do not but milk at the moment. We also get to sell a litre per day earning us an income of KES 50 per day. I use this to meet other household needs .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge is food insecurity that is mainly caused by poor farm produce due uncertain rains. For about ten years, maize farming was greatly affected by a crop disease. This being our stable food, we have to source maize from nearby markets costing us up to KES 2000 a month. This is a lot for us considering we do not have a main stable source of income. My wife runs a grocery, the much we get( KES 700 a month) is too little to cater for all household needs including food and clothing.
