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 ($464 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Upon accomplishing my initial goal, I developed a new goal of selling second-hand clothes for my wife. For over 2 years, my wife has just been at home with no economic activity to engage in. Starting up for a second-hand clothes business has in recent times kept her pre-occupied. She has been able to step in supporting the family since the business generates a profit of KES 4,000 per month. I am so happy that out of her business, we notice an increased level of household income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving direct cash transfers to the neediest in society. The model has played a critical role in promoting well being of its recipients. As a result, many recipients from my village have succeeded in building new houses thus they live more comfortably than before. In addition, by sending direct cash through Mpesa, recipients are not subjected to risks. However, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 from my most recent transfer on buying building materials for a new house. For years, I had been living in a small single-roomed mud house that had limited space. As a result, I was always unable to host any relative. Moreover, it was so uncomfortable to live in such a house although I had to bear with the situation because I had no way out but was also unable to accommodate my visitors. I am glad that currently, I have a 3 bedroom house which can accommodate both my children and other visitors.
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 9pm while sleeping when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, it was the eagerly awaited KES55000 from GiveDirectly and I hardly slept that night because I was overwhelmed with joy.
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 dairy cow within the shortest time possible. It's still unbelievable because I have never received such a lump sum and didn't know the money would come this fast.I am also grateful because with GiveDirectly transfers I have adequate food for my family hence no more struggling with casual labor for food.The money I get from my work I now save and my wife no longer bothers me with household expenditures like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES37000 on a dairy cow which is now giving me two liters of milk a day. This is because I had been milk for the past six years since I married. I also spent KES7000 on renting an acre of land and planted potatoes because the one I have is too small for farming. I also spent the rest on food and clothing. Initially, I used to rely on my masonry work to feed my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Poverty is the worst thing that can happen to any family. It is worst than cancer. We have been struggling a lot to make ends meet. We are blessed with three children, but to provide for them is a great deal. My children were on the verge of suffering from kwashiorkor because of malnutrition. It is against this background that my priority number one is to buy a dairy cow worth KES 35000. This will mean I will be able to get milk for my children and sell the surplus to get disposable income.We plan to use the rest of the money to buy foodstuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two months ago we were blessed with a baby. It is always a momentous period for the family. Children are a blessing from God, we are so happy that we have added a new family member. Her elder siblings are equally elated. when they arrived from school , the first thing the ask is to get hold of their sibling. They enjoy playing for her and being around her .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge we have been facing and still faces today is the lack of enough food. We are peasant farmers. Our maize crops are affected most of the time by the vagaries of weather and the lethal maize necrosis disease. It is for this reason that we live from hand to mouth, we have to do casual work like weeding maize crops to get some cash to buy food. I cannot recall the last time we ate a decent meal. Quite a sad state.
