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
55000 KES ($454 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 plan on starting a dairy farming project and have at least three healthy dairy cows that can produce milk. To make this dream a reality, I plan to on using the profit from the Mpesa business in initiating the project. All in all I am grateful for the financial support that made it easy for us to accomplish our goals in real time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support from GiveDirectly has uplifted our economic status. This is because it gave the neediest people in society a golden chance for them to elevate their lives. The impact of the program is evident in the village, in that people built houses, bought motorbikes and other stated businesses. We are forever grateful for the support that lifted our living standards amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The profit margin of my Mpesa business was very low because of the amount of money that I had pumped into the business, which was little. At the time I Initiated the business, I used to work as a teacher on temporal where I earned wages which were not attractive which made it possible to invest a good amount into the business. I am married and blessed with three children. Upon receiving my second transfer, I opted to boost the Mpesa float to attract more profit, thus I used my entire transfer of $550. I am glad that my monthly income has improved, hence I am grateful for the support that positively changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was still in school when I received a message alert on my phone. Since I was not busy, I decided to read it lest I forget while also thinking that it might have contained an urgent message. Upon realizing that it was a Mpesa message, I became so happy to realize that GiveDirectly had fulfilled its promise. I called my spouse and informed her about the good news and he was equally overjoyed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has started changing ever since I received the transfer. This is because I have been able to achieve the things that I had not been able to despite being a teacher. Currently, my wife is optimistic that she will soon live in a more decent house since the floors will be cemented once I purchase cement using part of my second transfer. This will make her work easier especially when cleaning it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 18000 on a heifer, KES 15000 on building materials majorly the sand, gravel, and ballast, and a water tank worth KES 22000 with a capacity of 2500 liters for water storage. My wife usually walks for a long-distance looking for water for domestic use. I am glad that she will not be experiencing this during the rainy season as we will be using this tank to harvest rainwater. For the building materials, I am planning to use them to cement the floors of my house once I purchase cement. I decided on this since our house is made of timber walls and cementing the floors will make it more permanent and tidying it will be easier. In addition, the heifer is an investment that will be a reminder of GiveDirectly in our lives. I am so grateful for the things that I have been able to achieve within a short time.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the past 7 years dairy farming has been a source of livelihood in my household . I have four dairy cows which earn me an average of KES 9000 monthly. This amount amount has been insufficient to complete my newly constructed house as well as pay school fees.I am glad that this amount will enable me to buy one extra cow for KES 35000 .This will bring an additional income of KES 2000 to my household per month hence financial stability. Furthermore, the nutritional value of the milk will improve the health condition of my family members.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been a farmer for the past 8 years.Four months ago I planted beans in my 0.3 acre piece of land where I used to plant maize initially.To my surprise I harvested one bag of beans which earned me KES 10000.This has therefore made me happy because as compared to maize farming I have never earned such amount of money.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge we face currently is financial limitations.Dairy farming is our main source of income and this earns us KES 9000 per month.This amount is insufficient to meet our monthly demands of KES 5000 as well as pay school fees for my daughter.The construction of our three-roomed house has been delayed for 2 years now due to lack of money.I am currently stressed on how and when to get money to facilitate our family needs .