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 ($491 USD)
access_time over 3 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 different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow. I am now glad since I can proudly say that I have an asset of my own. In addition, I will be earning some income through the sale of milk when it calves and I will be able to use this money in paying school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving people financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent around KES 35000 to build a more spacious house for my family. I settled on this since the one we had was small and could not accomodate us comfortably. This was after I had bought five three-seater seats and it could not even fit into my living room. Also, I spent KES 13000 to purchase three goats. These are investments to me that I can rely on in case of financial challanges as I can easily convert them to cash. I spent the remaining amount on food and some household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($503 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on Thursday at 2.30pm and I was in the shamba weeding my vegetables and my wife called me from the shamba to go check the message. I was very excited when I saw the message that I did not go back to the shamba anymore.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is me owning a cow since its hard to put together a huge amount of money to buy one. Beddings had also been a problem whenever I had visitors and right now am more confident to welcome visitors in my house for a sleepover. Thank you GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a cow that is about to calf and bought beds and mattresses for my children. I also bought seats and cushions for my house.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means reduced food security worry levels in my family. I intend to buy two dairy cattle for $300 each that will in turn guarantee daily income from constant milk production for sale. I usually engage in casual jobs which are never a guarantee to secure hence I will no longer have to worry about where to get these jobs. I also intend to renovate my house, buy household furniture as well as buy clothes for my children using the remaining part of my transfer.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my mornings cultivating my farm then later head to the neighborhood to look for jobs to do to earn some income. Being the breadwinner of the family, waking up feeling energetic to work is enough motivation that makes morning the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being dependent on farming for commercial purposes is the biggest hardship we face. Due to continuous prolonged drought in this region, the 8-acre piece of land that we cultivate only yields 5 bags of maize seasonally. The output is only enough for my household consumption hence none is left for sale. I am thus forced to engage in tedious casual jobs on peoples' farms to support other family needs. The fact that such jobs are never readily accessible gives rise to depression each day.
