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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The main goal I had for this second transfer was buying a cow but I haven't done that yet as I am still monitoring the situation of the weather since it is very dry at the moment which is not very conducive for cows. Therefore, when rain comes which I am praying and hopeful for, I will get this cow that I will used to plough for myself and others at a fee. I am so grateful.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Generally, GiveDirectly did so well in my opinion. Many people got got the help that they needed to improve their living standards. The whole village is now so changed, it is well lit almost like the city (Mombasa) because several people built better houses and bought solar panels with several lights. Others started businesses while others progressed with the ones they already had. I am personally grateful and I don't see anything that GiveDirectly doesn't or didn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am actually planning on spending most of the transfer which is KES 20000 kept aside to buy a cow, because I am still monitoring the current situation of drought in our area which is not very conducive for cows. This cow is my biggest project because I'll be using it for ploughing my own land as well as for my neighbors' at a fee which will at least raise me some income to help me meet my family's immediate needs. I had been having this aim long before the coming of GiveDirectly to our village, but it was a tall order as my charcoal burning and selling business and at times retailing coconut wine were not as enough and reliable to help make this dream come true. Therefore, I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for making it easier for me to make my dream come true.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 o'clock, I was at my home preparing to go to the bush to herd my goats. I heard my neighbor celebrating about receiving their transfer. I was with my helper at home since he was sick and had not gone to school due to the illness. I gave my phone to him and he verified and told me that I had received my transfer. I felt very excited about receiving my transfer which would help me in educating my child.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that l am living a happy life after boosting my goats rearing economic activity. Through the aid, I was able to acquire 6 more goats that will reproduce and sell the offsprings to cater to any financial needs that might arise in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to boosting my goats rearing by purchasing 6 more goats for KES 20,000. This is a long-term investment for my family that will help me whenever I face any financial challenge in my life. I also used KES 6300 to acquire a new bed for myself since the one I had was a traditional bed that was small and uncomfortable. I bought enough food stock for my family for KES 10,000 because of the famine that exists in our area. I am planning to use KES 5000 of the remaining amount to start vegetable vending around the village where I will be selling kales. I save the remaining amount to purchase a cow once the drought condition is over.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have for a long time been involved in extracting aloe vera juice that I sell to earn a living. To get $8 per week, I have to fill a 20 liters container, an income that is not enough to cater to my household's basic needs. My children have been sent out of school and since I lack money, they have to spend like a week before they go back to school once I sell the aloe vera extract. Receiving this money will be a store of wealth for me since I intend to spend $600 to buy 3 indigenous dairy cows that will help me to sell the milk when they calf. This will be my source of income and hence, reducing the stress of paying school fees. The remaining amount will help me to pay some fee arrears of $100 and also to sort other basic needs like food and nice beddings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I consider the evening as the happiest part of my day because at this moment, I usually get ample time to rest from my day's tiresome activities like the aloe vera extraction. When doing this work, I usually feel hungry because I spend most of my time busy at the bush, also the smell and its juice mostly irritate my skin.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of a reliable source of income that can support my household is generally the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Currently, I depend on selling aloe vera extract that takes me a whole week to fill a 20 liters container. On selling, I usually get $8, an income that cannot fully cater to my needs. Also, this job is very time-consuming and also health hazardous since the smell and its juice usually irritate my skin.
