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 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 different since I no longer do some casual work around the village. This is because I now use the income from the dairy farming to cater for our daily needs. Due to this, I now have enough time to spend with my family and do some farming. Due to this, I have been able to fully utilize my farm so that I can ensure a continuous supply of food to my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by giving us financial aid that uplifted us to the level we are now.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent a good amount to buy dairy cow and its calf. I settled on dairy farming since it will enable me to earn an income and reduce my daily expenditure. Also, this will give me enough time to work in my farm and ensure that its productive throughout the year. I spent the remaining amount to buy a water tank after topping up some amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 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 that I have finally been able to buy a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and this was so costly for me. I entirely depend on doing casual jobs in the village and the amount of money I get is hardly enough to meet all the basic needs of the family. My children at times go without taking breakfast when I fail to get a job and this often makes me feel embarrassed and demoralized. The casual jobs would make me wake up very early in the morning and toil the whole day eating up into my bonding time with the family. Currently, my life has changed, I do get enough time to bond with the family because I have reduced doing casual jobs and devoted half of my time working on my own farm. I have enough food for the family and my children no longer miss taking their breakfast as before. I am so much grateful because my life has changed.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when my neighbor called me asking if I had received the money. I immediately checked my phone to confirm whether I had received the sum of money. To my surprise, I had just received a sum of KES 55000 and I could not believe my eyes. Never before had I received such amount of money in my entire life. I was particularly happy because I knew I would finally be able to buy a dairy cow that I had always hoped to buy but without success due to limited resources at my disposal.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. The cost of buying milk for local household consumption had really been a concern to me and I was looking forward to having a cow of my own so that I can reduce the cost of buying milk and probably use the money to make other meaningful family investments. I also used the remaining amount to buy other basic household needs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money,I will first buy a dairy cow.I have one cow and buying another one will help me earn more income.The milk I get from one cow is mostly used for consumption here at home.The second thing I will do is to start a small business.I will buy groceries which I will be selling during market days.In a week there are three market days and I believe I will get money out of this business.Finally I will build a one bedroomed house made of wood.The mud house I live in is very hard to mantain and often needs repairs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After my children leave for school in the morning I feed the cow then go to the farm till noon.I have maize,beans and potatoes in my farm.After preparing and having lunch,I do the house chores then graze the cow for the remaining part of the afternoon.The happiest part of my day is in the evening after successfully completing the day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Six years ago my husband and I borrowed a loan from one of the SACCOS inorder to start a cereals business.The business collapsed and it was a struggle paying out the loan.We had a lot of debtors who bought the cereals on credit and did not repay.This is what led to the collapse of the business.We managed to offset the loan but we really struggled providing for the basic needs for three years.This was the biggest hardship in my life.We depended on casual labour to make ends meet which was not easy for us.
