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
55000 KES ($484 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?
My new goal is for me to be able to purchase a dairy cow in future, I am optimistic that I will be able to realise this new goal with the aid of the maize- milling(a posho-mill) business that I was able to initiate with my transfer, I am so grateful for the support that as indeed open the doors of hope in our lives.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done amazing work, Chepalungu sub-county was identified as an area with the highest poverty index rate, but I believe that the area is now saturated.
In my own opinion, everything was done professionally and our opinion counted, I am so grateful for the support that lifted numerous lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have nine children who are all schooling, school fees as been my hindrance due to financial constraints, when I was promised the unconditional cash I was relieved because I knew that I will be able to uplift my life, I had cows before but I was forced to sell them out to raise school fees. when I received my transfer I thought of starting a posho mill business, I believe that with it we will be able to raise money for school fees and other necessities, I am hopeful that I will be able to acquire a dairy cow in future with the profit that I would generate from the business.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I started going through my unread messages after I was done with my morning chores when the Mpesa caught my attention. My heart was filled with happiness after reading it and I immediately informed my family who in turn celebrated upon hearing the good news. My spouse then requested I cash it out the same day as he had a different plan of using the money to start up a business instead of buying a dairy cow as we had earlier on agreed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the transfer, we were able to start a hotel business in one of the rooms we had built in our newly acquired plot. I am glad that this business has started booming and with the tv set that we bought, customers usually flood in especially during news hours and this increases our sales. This has enabled us to meet our basic needs and pay school fees for my children on time. All these would not have been possible had it not have been for the transfer and I will forever remain grateful to GiveDirectly for the impact they have made in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My spouse has been working as a mason for a while and the income is usually not regular and attractive. When GiveDirectly came for enrollment, we planned as a family to spend the first one to purchase a dairy cow but after receiving it, we decided to spend KES 50000 to buy a tv set and set up a hotel business in one of the rooms we had built in our plot that is located in our nearest town. This will be our main source of income that we will use in supporting the family. I spent the remaining KES 4000 on food to last my family for some time.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I can now restock my farm with cows. I sold all thag I had to pay school fees for my children in secondary school and college last year. I will spend about KES 80,000 to acquire two lactating cows. This will increase milk I produce by 11 litres per day. It translates to an income of about KES 550 per day. I will also improve my house by removing it and painting to protect it from rain water.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband's business of house construction has been down for a very long time since COVID 19 breakout. Sometimes, he goes for several months without a single job. As a result, I have had no joyous moment in the past six months. I look forward to better times, starting with the moment I will get my first transfer.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting enough food in my household is an issue because maize is no longer doing well. This is mainly because of the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease. I have to rely on my husband, making it difficult yo get enough food at the same time raise school fees for our children.
