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 ($521 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In my life, I had given up in owning livestock. In as much as it was my dream, I had lost hope in having some. This is because of my low income from casual work and my old age. I had not seen any way I could help to buy livestock. It only remained to be a dream until GD came to my life. I used part of my second and transfer to buy two cows and a goat as investment for my family. I feel so much proud of myself because I feel I used the transfer in the correct way. I know in future if I have any financial crisis, I can sell part of my livestock to raise money that I have to solve the issue.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In opinion, GD did well to give money to everyone in the village. It would have been worse if a few people were given and the other left out. I feel there is nothing GD did not do well. They should keep up the same way.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I plan to spend my transfer on buying three cows as an investment for my family and can also use them for ploughing my farm and other people's farm at a cost to get an extra income. I also plan to use my transfers in paying school fees for my children who are in both primary and secondary school. This will help to keep up with the arrears so that they may not be sent home for fees again. The remaining I used on buying household items such as bedding for my children who did not have good ones. The ones they had old and torn and they could not sleep well. I am glad they now have good and new ones.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 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 being able to buy some of the building materials such as iron sheets which I shall use to initiate the construction of my new house. I have also added six goats on my herd hence I am assured of having more of them in the near future due to the high rate of reproduction. When this happens, I will be able to handle emergencies well.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I got an message in my phone stating that GiveDirectly had sent money and because I was doubtful . I did check my Mpesa account balance which confirmed the same . I felt very happy and thankful to GiveDirectly fraternity .
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy six goats , a mattress and food for my family's consumption . I also bought a solar lamp which has been very helpful in the reduction of the expenses such as buying kerosene for the tin lamp that I had been using previously. I also bought 26 pieces of iron sheets which I intend to use them on building a new house.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livelihood in our village depends mostly on subsistence farming especially during rain seasons. It has been a trend that everyone in the village own livestock especially goats but this has not been the case to me. I have always desired to start goats rearing like others but I have not accomplished this because of the financial challenges I am facing. Receiving this money means fulfilment of my dream as l am planning to spend $ 150 to purchase 5 goats. I will use the remaining amount in starting a kiosk in the village which will act as my reliable source of income for my family of 7 members.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day because I usually spend this time to relax after working in the farm in the morning hours.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have ever wished to help my husband who is a casual labourer in raising our family but this dream has never come true. I have remained a housewife for long since I lack the capital to start even a kiosk to act as my source of income. Hence, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest hardship.
