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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 different than it would have been if I had never received my transfer in that, it has changed for the better. Through the transfer, I was able to improve the condition of my house by constructing an extra one room and putting up a door since the house that I had was very tiny to accommodate me and my properties. Without the door, I was not safe, especially at night. In addition, I was able to acquire some pairs of clothes. Lastly, I enhanced my livestock rearing by purchasing 2 more cows.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in assisting the less fortunate household in the society. Presently, there is a lot of development in my village all this is attributed to the transfer from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to purchase two cows for $300 to boost my livestock rearing activities. Being a widow and the sole breadwinner for my family, livestock rearing is what I have been depending on for my livelihood. With the livestock, I can sell some whenever I face any challenge. I saved the remaining amount to assist me in providing food for my family because we are experiencing famine in our village.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I learned that I had received my first transfer at exactly 12 noon when I was taking lunch with my family. I was overwhelmed with joy and I definitely knew that my life will change positively. I was sure that I would finally achieve what I have been yearning to own.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a dairy cow that I acquired from financial support. I have been aspiring to keep it in my homestead for years but I could not afford it because of financial difficulties. The little I was from the temporary casual jobs was too little for the purchase of a cow. The main aim of purchasing it was mostly for business purposes. I am assured that very soon I will start getting milk and I am planning to be supplying them to the nearby towns since they are in high demand I am sure the business will grow within a short period. I am hopeful that the money that I will be getting will be enough for me to cater to my family's needs without staring like before. Also, the few liters that will remaining will be for my family's consumption.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some bedding such as a new wooden bed and a mattress and a total cost KES 9000. These were to replace the mats that I have been using as beddings which I was so uncomfortable and I have been complaining of back pains for all that time. I later bought a dairy cow at KES 17000. I also bought building poles, iron sheets, thread, and a wooden door. This was to renovate my house and add another room. In addition to that, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family which would take us two weeks time
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means purchasing cows for rearing. This has been my ambition for a very long time but I have never had money to achieve my dream. My biggest motive to own these animals is to have a stable source of income. This is because having them will mean constant supply of milk in my village as well as household consumption. Besides, I can sell them during financial emergencies once they multiply.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I suffer from chronic neck pain that started over 10 years ago. This condition has never subsided despite my efforts to treat it and it gets worse when I engage in any labour intensive activities. The only time when I feel better is in the morning morning after resting the entire night. This makes morning the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Besides subsistence farming, I burn charcoal to make a living. Since the area is greatly deforested, there are no more trees and I have to uproot stumps instead. This is quite cumbersome making it difficult to produce enough hence I earn 800 shillings a month. A bigger percentage of my income caters for food because it is more essential, thus I overlook other needs like clothing, good shelter and proper beddings. I can therefore say, financial instability is my biggest hardship.
