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 ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had been living in a very old house that had been in existence for the past 5 years. When I received my transfer, I executed my initial plan of building a new spacious house. Immediately this goal was accomplished, I came up with an additional plan of buying a cow. That is the very first cow I have ever owned in my life. I look forward to begin getting milk from it at no cost.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
When GiveDirectly rolled out its program in our area, its staffs were able to visit every household. This was a good approach since no one could be left out. Every recipient who succeeded in getting their transfer has used it in a way that has positively improved his/her lifestyle. To me, this is one of the things that GiveDirectly does so well. However, I have never seen what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Although my fellow village members have been enjoying milk products by virtue that they owned some cows. However, my family has not been enjoying the same since I have never owned any cow in my lifetime. As soon as I received my transfer, I spent 30,000 KES on buying a cow. I am thus optimistic that after some short span of time, my family will also begin to be obtaining free milk from the recently bought cow. In addition, due to my low level of income, I was always unable to acquire new clothes for my children thus they could only use very old and torn garments. I, therefore, spent 10,000 KES on buying new clothes for all my household members hence everyone looks smart and presentable.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 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 6am while trying to cook breakfast when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. I was very happy and grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is owning a dairy cow which is now a source of milk for my family. Through the transfers, I have also managed to complete the stalled house within the shortest time possible. I also have adequate food for my family through the transfers and my kids have grown healthier and happier. Initially, I relied on maize, beans and sweet potato farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES30000 on a dairy cow as a source of livelihood and income for my family. Initially, I used to buy milk for the past two years which was quite costly at times. I also spent KES20000 on completion of my three roomed timber-walled house.The rest was spent on food and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Because of financial instability, My husband studied at the Olbutyo polytechnic in a masonry course for 1 year, unlike the usual 2 years. He has not been able to acquire his certificate to practise fully to earn income. We have therefore resolved to depend on farming for a living, which at most times is not productive as the climate is harsh. When I receive this money, I intend to use KES 20000 to clear his school fees arrears hence completing his course and being a certified mason. From his career, we will be able to purchase basic needs such as food, clothing and school fees for my 3 children in grade 5,grade3 and grade 1. I will use the rest of the transfers to purchase an additional dairy cow and clothes for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In March 2021, I prepared my land ready to sow the maize seedlings. Luckily, with sufficient rains, pests and diseases were almost the least and the germination was 100%. I was able to harvest 1 bag of maize from the 0.3-acre land. Although this is the least, I am happy that my household is food secure until the end of December 2021.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Finding a stable source of income is a challenge I am currently facing. I am a casual labourer who depends on tilling people's farms for a living to earn KES 200 daily. Although I am energetic enough, finding this job is somewhat straining as I can even go for almost 2 weeks without having one. On these occasions, I depend on my husband who does masonry upon being called. In an instant, he earns KES 150, which cater for food to last the household a day hence we mostly, stay hungry as we sacrifice for the children and this upsets me.
