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 ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is for me to acquire a parcel of land. I believe that with proper management of the dairy cow and the goat farming, I would be able to use the income that I would earn from the proceeds in purchasing the land. It might take longer but I am hopeful that with financial discipline the goal is attainable.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The love and support that we got from GiveDirectly were immense. Receiving the unconditional cash came as a surprise to us, we were allowed to use our money freely without being asked to return any favours. So far I have not seen anything that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a subsistent farmer blessed with three children. Upon receiving my transfer I settled on purchasing a dairy cow worth KES 40,000. The reason was that I wanted something that would remind me of the good deeds the organization has done to us, at the same time a profitable and sustainable one. Secondly, I bought goats at KES 15,000. I am so thankful for the transfer that was unconditional which brought so much happiness in our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9.15 am when I heard my phone ring as I was going on with my daily household chores. Upon checking it, my heart was filled with happiness as it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received the promised money from GiveDirectly. With the money at my disposal, I knew that I would finally be able to achieve the goals that had seemed impossible before. My spouse was equally overjoyed upon hearing of the goodness and he promised that we would spend the cash as we had planned.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Even though we are enjoying our daily consumption of milk and taking three meals a day unlike before, owning a dairy cow is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I will be able to pay school fees for my children on time using the income that I will be getting through the sale of milk once it reproduces. Also, it is an asset that I can rely on when faced with financial challenges as I can easily convert it to cash. This would not have been possible had I not received the transfer and I am so grateful for it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 43000 to buy a dairy cow. We settled on this as a family since we did not have any and it is also an asset that we can rely on in case of a financial crisis. In addition, it is an investment to us since we will be earning some money through the sale of milk and we can always use it to buy some basic needs for our family. Apart from this, I spent KES 3200 to buy one sack of maize for consumption, used KES 3000 to buy some decent clothes for my family, and spent KES 2100 to buy six pieces of seat cushions since we did not have any. I still have KES 2300 that I am planning to use in hiring a tractor for land preparation purposes. I am happy that GiveDirectly gave us the liberty to spend this money however we want to.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Recieving this money means I will build a nother house that is more spacious and start dairy farming.
Being a house wife I have been struggling doing casual jobs and we only depend on what my husband gets from buying and selling cows in the market.
I plan to use 600 dollars in building a new house and use the remaining in starting a dairy farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy in the morning, this is the time when i can find casual jobs from my neighbors like washing and ploughing in the farm, this makes me happier because I Will have money to buy food and other basis needs for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a house wife and doing casual jobs in order to afford basic needs has been a tall order to me and my family, we use what my husband gets from the business in buying food and paying for school fees.
