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 ($528 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?
Before I received the transfers from Givedirectly, I used to tether my cows using rope to prevent them from destroying the crops. Apart from the fact that doing this is quite labor intensive, the cows would not graze well because they were confined to a small spot hence leading to low production of milk. I am glad now that through the transfers, I was able to fence well and paddock the grazing field and I do not need to tether them to particular spot. I'm also less worried that they might break in and destroy the crops. The money also helped me seek medical attention and I feel much better now. I did not have any money before to to the hospital for a checkup.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I am glad that each and every household in the village received the transfer equally. It was a well done project.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the transfers to buy barbed wire and other fencing materials to fence and paddock my farm. I also paid for medical checkup using the transfer and bought food and other household items using the rest.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the compound that I have since erected. Conflict with other villagers is now reduced and my chicken are safe and more productive after the confounding. This has led to increased income from my farm and improved our living standards.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received this money. I called back almost immediately to say thank you for the support that I received from GiveDirectly. This meant that I saw the message and felt so proud
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my transfer to buy a fencing wire, part of it to meet my medical expenses, and the remaining amount was used to buy a calf. I have been sick for quite a long time and when I received this money I resorted to seeking medication and I am happy that I am now feeling better. I also bought one calf that would help me in the long run in case I faced any financial emergencies/challenges.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a subsistence farmer for a long time but due to old age which is catching up I want to do more of dairy and poultry farming because it is less strenuous. I have a plan of using the transfers from Give Directly to buy one dairy cow.I have two cows so far and adding one will increase milk yield.The cow will cost me approximately Ksh 25,000(250 USD).I will then fence my compound using a chain link so that I can do serious poultry.I want to double the number of chicken from 10 to 20.The poultry work will cost me around Ksh 10,000(100 USD).I have also been building my house and it is halfway done.I will see to it that I complete the remaining bit of it.I will not forget to take a share of the money to church to help God's work.This is a way of giving thanks to the Lord.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend most of the day around my farm feeding the cows.Livestock keeping is my main source of income and therefore I enjoy doing it.I am happy in the evening when I see that my day has been successful .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been a widow for 27 years now.My marriage life was full of hardship because we had no land to settle at first.This is because of the family conflicts by my brothers in law.This begun when my parents in law passed away.One of the elder brother in law sold all the land leaving us with nowhere to live.We started doing casual jobs to make a living.When we had saved little to buy this piece of land which we currently live in,my husband fell ill and passed away.It has been a life full of loneliness and difficulties since his passing on.I have had to shoulder all the responsibilities of raising up my children by myself.This has been tough considering the fact that I have a small piece of land to till whereas I fully depend on farming.
