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 ($467 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?
My husband used the first transfers to enroll in a driving school and has now secured a well-paying driving job. From his monthly remittances, I am planning to save in merry-go-round contributions towards buying purchase an additional piece of land. This is because currently, we are living in a three-quarter acre piece of and which is not sufficient for both crop and livestock farming at a go.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to lift help living standards of people in our village.
For instance, I had built my house halfway but when GiveDirectly came I finished.GiveDirectly officers are also very friendly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ten years ago, my late mother-in-law got severely sick from a strange growth in her stomach. We were then forced to sell our only source of livelihood, a dairy cow and her calf to cater for her medication but she later succumbed. Since then, it has been a struggle fending for my five kids. But when GiveDirectly transfers came, I spent KES 30,000 on a dairy cow which is now due. This will not only act as a source of milk but also as an income source for my family.
Maize farming has been a major source of food and income in our locality for a long time. But for the past five years, this has proved otherwise because since the outbreak of the maize disease and long dry spells there has been low or no product at all in severe cases.
This led to food insecurity and as a result, I resorted to chicken keeping to pay school fees and feed my family as well.
But when GiveDirectly transfers came, I spent KES 15,000 on payment of my daughter's school fees and the remainder on the purchase of food and clothing for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was sittted at home and realized had a notification message from my phone.Upon confirming, it was an MPESA message from Givedirectly.I was super excited and went to withdraw the money immediately since we had already planned for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is seeing the cow that I bought.It gives me joy when it is grazing and knowing that at the end of the day I will able to get enough milk for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the first transfer, I spent it on obtaining a dairy cow with a calf at Kshs.35,000 since I would buy milk on a daily basis.Buying of milk everyday was very expensive and it was also tough for me because it could not sustain my family.With the bought cow, I can now milk about 2 litres per day which is enough for my entire family. I also spent Kshs.15,000 on finishing my newly constructed house.With the remaining amount I bought food and clothing for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot of relief for me financially. I plan to purchase two dairy cows costing me approximately KES 70,000. This will be a form of investment for me. I have two children in high school and others soon to join, which strains me a lot by paying for their school. My husband is the sole provider, being in the transport sector, his job is very unreliable. He earns at most KES 10,000 a month, which goes to paying school fees for the children hence we remain with almost nothing to cover other needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts at 6 am. I then prepare my children for school. The rest of the day is spent on the farm tending to my farm crops. At noon I come back home to prepare lunch. The happiest part of my is in the afternoon when we have shared lunch with my children. At this time I also get to rest having have achieved the day's plan. I also get to rest .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship has been a lack of finances. I'm a peasant farmer, my husband who is the sole provider is a tout, his work is very unreliable. The money he earns goes to school fees. Since our children started joining the school, we have been straining to keep them in school. It makes me feel bad when my children are returned from school because of a lack of school fees. We never get relieved to focus on meeting other needs.
