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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Some of the new goals that I have include having a larger flock of animals in my homestead. I would like to have more goats, cows, and sheep that would generate profit that would help me pay for my children's school fees. I would also want to own a bigger butchery that will continue to help my husband expand the business
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
For us to receive the money and make the decisions on our own is one of the things GiveDirectly does well. And for us to use the money for our interest without having to return the money with no interest at all is great. Ever since the organization came to our village, you can see the progress that most homesteads have made. So far I haven't seen anything that you should improve on
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I opened up a butchery for my husband and that is where most of my transfers were spent on. I also bought a cow for my homestead that enables me to sell milk to my neighbors and that generates income for us.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 9:03 am and I was at home taking breakfast with my children when I heard my phone ringing notifying me of a new message. I stopped to check and I could not believe what I saw. I was so happy and at the same time, it took me by surprise because I had never received such a huge sum of money in my life before. My children noticed my excitement and they asked me what was going on. I told them we had received the promised money from GiveDirectly. They were so happy about this and they joined me in the celebration.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer from GiveDirectly has brought a very big difference in our lives as a family. This is because the cow that we bought has calved and we now have milk for our consumption and sale. We plan to use the money from the milk sales that we will get at the end of the month in making other developments such as buying another cow. Our lives have thus been uplifted and we no longer worry about where to get the money to do what we have always wanted to do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent most of the money that we got on buying a cow. We had always wanted to purchase a cow of our own but due to lack of money, we were not able to. The one that we have been having was not ours. I engage in small-scale farming where I earn approximately KES 500 per week from the sale of my farm produce. My husband owns a small butchery business in the nearby town. The money that we get from our small incoming-earning activities has not been enough to save up to buy a cow. Most of it usually goes to the purchase of food and payment of school fees for our four children. We are thus so much grateful to GiveDirectly for making our dream come true.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I get this money I would like to invest in sheep-keeping. Sheep can give birth thrice a year hence multiply easily. So in the future when I sell them it will generate a good income. The entire transfer of KES 110000 will go into constructing sheep pens and purchasing them. Our area is prone to drought but sheep can withstand the dry season since they don't eat a lot. I own a butchery in the town nearby but my income is not sufficient to meet all my family's needs. Children are also in school and sometimes it is a challenge to pay for their school fees. I feel my long-time dream will be fulfilled when I get this transfer.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. This is the time when I relax after tiresome work and I get to share lunch with my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been a lack of money. Farming has been my passion especially sheep keeping but due to financial constraints, I have not full filled my desire. Even with my small business, I cannot meet all my family's needs.
