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 ($467 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?
I am happy that I was able to achieve most of the long time goals which include owning livestock(cows and goats). I am certain that soon the goats will increase in number since they reproduce twice a year. Also through the cows, I will be getting plenty of milk for commercial purposes. I however do not have any new goals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did an awesome job by visiting all the poorest individuals in my village. Previously, we could not afford the basic needs like good shelter, food stuffed and we had no hopes of owning livestock because of the financial challenges. The support has however empowered us to achieve all our goals. Therefore, I can not point out anything that GiveDirectly failed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying livestock such as a dairy cow at KES 17000 and a goat at KES 3500. I settled for them because the climate is favorable and their pastures are readily available. Also, I cleared the fee arrears of KES 16000 for my sons who are both in secondary schools. In addition to that, I bought a mattress at KES 4900 which was to replace the old beddings that I have been using for years. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my ten family members which took us three weeks.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by the loud vibrations from my phone at around 6 in the morning. I was so curious but because I was illiterate I had to ask my helper to confirm what the notification was all about. I was overwhelmed with joy after he confirmed to me that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Up to date, it feels like a dream to me becasue I have never received such a huge amount of money that is nonrefundable.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a dairy cow and an ox. This has been my dream of owning them for years but I could not afford them because they were relatively expensive. I settled for them becasue of their numerous benefits compared to the other domestic animals. With the dairy cow, I will be getting plenty of milk that will be for my family consumption. This will be a relief to me because we have to buy milk from neighbors and sometimes we couldn't afford it. Also, I will be selling the remaining liters to my neighbors and generate and income. This money will majorly empower me to always pay school fees for my children in time. Also with the ox, since it is one, I will combine it with that of my relatives and help me in ploughing my time in good time. This will be a great help to me because for all that time I have been using my own hand in ploughung and I could only utilize a small portion of my farm. Therefore I ended up getting a poor harvest. I am now a happy farmer becasue I will no longer strain during the planting seasons like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a dairy cow and an ox which I have been yearning to own for years. Also, I bought some building materials which include iron sheets, building poles, nails, and timber. These were for the construction of a new house becasue the previous one was very small and in poor condition. For the past years, we have been sheltering at my mother-in-law's house. Also, I paid school fees for my children who are still in primary school in the nearby village. With the amount of money that had remained, I bought enough foodstuffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Upscaling my farming has been my greatest desire but this has never been possible. I majorly depend on hiring oxen from my elder brother for $20 per acre. This is so costly and sometimes, I am forced to use hoe during land preparation something that consumes much of my time. My plan once I receive this money is to buy oxen plus an ox plough at $380 and this will mean early land preparations and eventually food security to my family. On the other hand, I also plan to clear all the school fee arrears for my children and this will help them to settle in school and hence good performance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day because it at this time when I get ample time to rest from the work of collecting firewood. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am always busy in the bush.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Despite being a casual laborer, my intention has always been to ensure my children get the best in their education and this means doing all means so that they are not befallen by the misfortune we parents have undergone in our childhood. To ensure this happens, I opted to agree with the school principal, to supply firewood at school and in return the earning clear my son's fee. I am so grateful to learn that soon, I will be able to settle any fee arrears with ease.
