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 ($519 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different than it would have been because there are a lot of goals that I have achieved. I was able to clear school fees for my child on time and added more animals. I bought seven sheep and cows. I normally buy and re-sell animals to earn a living. I thank GiveDirectly for the financial support because I did not only have to depend on the few coins from my job.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly did well was to give us money directly through our Mpesa. This really helped us because our money was not lost in any way. The transparency and sincerity that they had was perfect.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase two oxen that I will sell later on at a higher price to buy a dairy cow because currently, they are expensive. I plan to sell milk and in return the money will be enough to buy a calf every month. The best part is having some for the family's consumption. I also paid fees for my child upfront for the next term. I like preparing early which normally gives me time to plan for other things. The remaining amount was spent on purchasing a mattress, food, and clothes for my wife.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought ten goats. I used to have goats before at an early age after which I sold them and bought a two acres piece of land. This was my wish and dream to start it all over again because I benefited through this. I had a neighbor who had children in school and we made an agreement that I will be paying school fees for his two sons and to be given a piece of land in return, I did not have a source of income and I used to sell the goats after they had reproduced. Currently, I have ten goats and when they reproduce in the next two years I will sell them to buy a dairy cow and also pay school fees for my children in the near future and I will have no stress at all. I am so happy because of GiveDirectly it has changed our living standard and given us hope.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received my money. I remember it was very early in the morning when I was checking my phone as usually. I could not believe my eyes because I have never received such an amount of money before. At first, I thought it was just like any other organization who promises us heaven on earth and the end up doing nothing little did I know this was an exceptional one. I immediately inform my spouse and children and they were very happy too.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy nine goats which have always been my dream, I also paid school fees for my son who is in primary school and the rest of the money I used it to buy ten hens, mattress, roofing nails, food and clothes for my spouse.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a small business man mostly dealing with buying and selling sheep.My business has gone down since I sold most of the sheep I had to buy this piece of land.I am now planning to start rearing sheep in a large number when I receive this transfers.I will spend 35,000 Kenya shillings to buy 10 sheep.Sheep multiply very fast hence making it a good venture.I also have a plan of fencing my compound so that I can rear chicken.I want to start with around 10 chicken.The remaining part of the transfer will help me pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours feeding and looking after the cows.When its noon,my wife who is an Early Childhood Development Education teacher comes back home and takes over duties around my compound.This gives me time to go out and see if can get my business running.I buy cattle from the villages around the sell them at a profit.Evening is the happiest part of my day because it is a time I sit down and reflect on the day's activities.I feel happy knowing that I have had a successful day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a stable source of income.I have a diploma in Business Administration but securing employment has been a nightmare.I decided to venture into small businesses which have not been that successful because of lack of funds.I once opened a shop but it did not do well which led to the closure.I have great ideas in my mind but implementing them requires money.I now practise farming and a little bit of livestock business especially during market days.This is not enough to satisfy all the basic needs including school fees for my children.
