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 ($524 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?
When I bought a dairy cow and a bull, I made a big difference in my life. I have doubled my income sources. I sell milk from the first transfer and use the money to pay school fees for the children that I am raising. Its' calve is one of the additions to the other bull that I bought. I can sell them at any hard time if school fees become a pressing need. Knowing that my children will have their school fees properly taken care of, gives me peace of mind and joy.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in handing help directly to our hands. We are so thankful when we see our livestock and houses that were put up using the transfers. However, I never saw anything that I would want to be correct during the time GD worked here.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received in my second transfer on buying a cow and paid school fees for my children. I also bought some household items includes food items. I bought a bull that was to grow to fatten and be sold to pay school fees for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My biggest difference is having another cow in my compound. My children have been brought up in a milk-feed system where they cannot go without milk. I am sure that I will never lack milk anymore since I now have two of the cows. Unlike before where I usually purchase more milk, I am certain I will have enough. Additionally, a cow will act as a reminder to me whenever I think of support that I got from Givedirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The thought of getting money for free did not make us actually believe the truth of the matter. When a message came in, it confirmed our fears and doubts. I saw the message and immediately passed the information to my husband. What else could we do? We were filled with joy and immediately say thanks to God for the support he has accorded us.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have always wanted to add one more cow to my compound and this was the perfect opportunity that came unto me. I bought a cow worth KES 21000. I was sure that the milk shortage issue will be a thing of the past for me. My children are used to the milk and I have always resorted to buying whenever I am faced with a shortage. I also stocked a sack of maize because currently, maize has not been doing good in our region and this necessitated buying in bulk to avoid shortages as well.
I then bought clothes for my children. When they heard about how GiveDirectly is going to give us money, they had requested that should this happen, then they too be considered. I did exactly that.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have two sons in secondary school, in form one and two. Due to insufficient funds to cater for all family needs, they are sent home every term for school fees. Upon receiving this money, I am planning to pay their fees upfront to facilitate an ample time for them to study. I will use the remaining amount to purchase two cows to provide milk for the family. These cows are also a store of wealth that I can sell in future to pay fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. My day involves setting out in the morning to fetch water for domestic use from a nearby river before being occupied with household chores till late in the afternoon. It is in the evening that I am relieved of some duties by my children after they're out of school. This is the only time I get to rest and this is happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
For a long time, water has been a scarce resource for residents in this area. Being a semi arid land, rain is hardly seen throughout the year. Every single day, my schedule involves trekking for half an hour to get water in a nearby river for domestic use. I have to do this twice to get enough water. This is the biggest hardship I've faced because the routine is tiresome and time consuming as everyone strives to beat the long queues of people from neighboring villages.
