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 ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different because I have now acquired a cow and some goats that I am currently keeping. Through them, I will be able to raise money when I am in dire need. I know they will reproduce and increase in number thus I will be able to educate my children who are still young.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well on enrolling us and gave us the transfer to improve on living standards. Through this, we have now been able to pay for our household needs and other expenses. I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 20000 of the second transfer to buy heifer and goats. I used to keep goats only which l felt they were not enough. I now na have them as assets to me, which I can readily rely on them in case of a financial problem. I also took a portion of this transfer to take care of some medical bills of my child who was Ill. I spent the remaining amount to do a household shopping on buying clothing for my children, buying daily foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 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 owning the livestock which include the 8 goats and a cow which previously I had none. I am expecting that they will reproduce and increase in number and help me to raise the capital that I need to start a business in future that will generate income to my household. I really believe my life will never be the same again even when GiveDirectly is through with the project in our village.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 o'clock in the morning when I saw the message from GiveDirectly that my first transfer had finally been sent into my Mpesa account. At first I could not believe this because I had never received such a big amount of money in my life. I was so excited and thankful to them for the financial support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock which include a cow and 8 goats. I am hoping that with time they will both reproduce and increase in number. I am also planning to sell the offspring in future so as to generate capital in order start a business of my own to earn an income. I will also be benefiting from the milk that the cow will be producing. In addition to buying livestock, I also bought enough foodstuffs for my family which could take us much longer unlike before where we used to take one meal per day or go without. I am happy that through the financial support, I can afford three meals a day. My children had stayed at home for some weeks due to fees arrears that I was not able to clear because of financial constraints. Thus the transfer enabled me to clear the outstanding fee arrears for them to be allowed back to school.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Subsistence farming is my main source of livelihood but it is quite unreliable because of poor rainfall. I therefore supplement my income through harvesting aloevera which earns me around 700 shillings in two months. It has always been my desire to achieve a stable source of income that will meet my family needs with ease. Receiving this money therefore means starting a grocery business in my village, which I am sure it will thrive because of the current drought. Besides, I will purchase oxen to scale up farming and also hire them at a fee. This will enhance food security in my family, which I believe it is the only way towards meeting other expenses like education, medical and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I undertake very heavy duties during the day that wear out my energy. Harvesting aloevera is one of the cumbersome activities that I engage in, in order to provide for my family. I hardly get time to rest and this worsens the pains in my leg. However, in the evening when I am done I sit with my family to take supper. This helps me to relax my mind and regain the lost energy, making evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I got an accident in 2017 that fractured my leg to an extent of being bedridden for one year. This situation drained my financial resources as I used all my savings to seek treatment. Even after recovering I still cannot work comfortably because I sometimes experience pains. It is very difficult to provide for my six children because of financial constraint. Sometimes they go without food something which stresses me a lot . my two school going children have never owned a pair of uniform since they began schooling. The only person who could help is my husband but he is too old to work.
