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 ($525 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 in that I now have my own cart business that has changed my life a great deal. I make more income from my cart business and I am raising a happier family than the one that I raised before I received GiveDirectly funds. I also bought a cow that has given us enough milk for local consumption while we also sell the surplus to meet other family needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did so well in giving every household in the village money. There was a lot of fairness in giving everyone that deserved money and without discriminating on anyone whatsoever.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend KES 29000 to buy a cart and the remaining amount was used to buy two donkeys that will help pull the cart and earn us income as a family.I have been working for someone else who was blessed with donkeys and has been paying me very little yet I often made a lot of money from that business. This pushed me to think about this investment and when I got the money from GiveDirectly I decided to invest on this business. With the donkeys and the cart that I bought, I now make enough money to help raise my family. I earn approximately KES 500 per day from this business. This has improved the living standards of my family and I am so indebted to GiveDirectly for making this dream come to pass.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the high self-esteem in society and happiness that my improved farming I did has brought to my daily life. I feel empowered since I currently own a dairy cow that I did have before. It had been a challenge to buy milk each day given that I had other family needs to take care of. I am happy that currently, I can also produce milk for my household consumption and sales. I no longer spend on milk, instead, I save what could have been used in milk and at times add to what I earn from milk sales to cater to other family needs. Also, I believe that very soon, my wife will start earning an income from the poultry project I started for her. She will be using this money to support me in paying for our bills. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for financial support.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 3 am when I received a message notification indicating that I had received money from GiveDirectly. My heart was instantly filled with happiness as I knew that I would be able to use the money to transform my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, my priority was to buy a dairy cow which I did so by acquiring one worth KES 30000. I am now glad since I no longer buy milk daily as I did before. It had been my biggest ambition to own a cow but the overwhelming family needs never gave me a chance to buy one. I am happy that I own one now courtesy of GiveDirectly. As a result of this, I have been able to save money I would otherwise use in buying milk and use it to meet other household needs. Also, I used some amount to start a poultry keeping project for my wife by buying some chicken. I spent the remaining amount on beddings, seats, clothes, two sacks of maize flour and other foodstuffs for my family. I feel so happy when I see the current state of my family at a position that could not have been if it was not for GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This cash transfer has come at the right time. I have been struggling to complete a house I started building a few months ago. Therefore I am going to use my transfer to complete it and to furnish it with furniture.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am an employed cart pusher in the village, a job I engage in for the better part of the day. I would get time in the evening to go to the local shopping centre to interact with my friends and catch up on local news and politics. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Growing up, my mother at that time had no value in education. She was a brewer and an alcoholic as well. She neither facilitated my education nor motivated me to it. Eventually I dropped out in primary school in standard three. Life has since been hard because without her care I had to struggle so as to fend for my needs at a tender age. I do not have any skills which can give me a decent job thanks to illiteracy.
