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 ($435 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When I get enough money from the milk business I am planning to start, I will also plant maize and beans to create a second source of income and ensure food security at home.
I will try my best to have a healthy family by providing all the basic needs especially enough and quality food.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly did well by giving us unconditional cash, this created a lot of financial responsibility and accountability in every household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the second transfers to buy two cows that are expectant right now, so by next year, we will be in a position to start supplying milk as a business.
I also bought clothes and shoes for the entire family especially school uniform since my kids were wearing worn out clothes on a daily basis.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am while taking breakfast when I switched on my phone. On checking the messages, among them was a Mpesa notification that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy since I had eagerly waited for the transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the transfers is peace of mind because I have cleared the debt that I had been repaying in bits over the past four years. The total debt borrowed to construct my house was KES 20,000 and when GiveDirectly came the remaining KES 10,000 was cleared at once.
Secondly, with the transfers, I have two dairy cows which will be a source of milk and income soon. Ever since I was married about 12 years ago I had desired to have my dairy cow but couldn't afford it.
Thirdly, I have adequate food with the transfers which can sustain my small family for the next four months. Earlier on, we used to eat from hand to mouth because we used to buy food and household items based on the day's income which ranged from KES 100 to KES 200.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of three and to fend for my family I rely upon clay pot making. I have done this business for the last two years and on market days I get up to KES 1,000. My husband also works as a casual motorcycle rider and his daily income is also spent on household expenses.
When I received my transfers, I used KES 45,000 on a dairy cow and a heifer. One at KES 25,000 and the other KES 20,000. This is because I have been buying milk a cup of milk at KES 15 daily paid monthly for the past two years. Initially, we relied on my parents in law dairy cows but the productivity is now low. But with cows bought using GiveDirectly transfers, I will soon enjoy my milk.
Secondly, I used KES 10,000 on the settlement of debt I had borrowed to construct my house four years ago. Recently, the creditor had been on my neck because I wasn't paying him anymore as per our agreement, but GiveDirectly came to my rescue right on time.
Lastly, I bought a Kalenjin Bible Version at KES 900 and two bags of maize at KES 6,000 which can still sustain my family for the four months.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Dairy farming is the main economic activity in this area.My ambition is to be a small-scale dairy farmer, this will enable me fulfill most of my dreams such as giving my children access to quality education, food availability and financial stability. At the moment I own a 2 acre piece of land with no cattle of my own,I purchase milk from the neighbors at a cost of KES 80 daily.These money will enable me to buy two dairy cows worth KES 60000.I foresee an income of KES 400 per day from the sale of milk and this means a financial stability to my household.The incomes will be enough to pay my children's school fees as well as buy them adequate food .
What is the happiest part of your day?
The onset of the rainy season has brought happiness to my life. This is because I have been able to plant crops such as beans, maize and sweet potatoes which are doing perfectly well in the farm.Unlike last year, I foresee a food secure period for my family in the next 6 months and this makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest challenge am currently facing. I engage in pottery as a main economic activity. For the past two months, there have been heavy rains in this area and this has led to a decrease in our incomes. During rains, we find it difficult to collect clay as well as firewood which are the raw material used in the process of making pots.This condition has led to me borrowing food stuffs from the shop so that I can pay for them in future .Due to numerous debts and complains from the shopkeepers there are days my household has had to sleep hungry.
