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 ($525 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
My spouse had been operating a motorcycle for one of our neighbors. Before I received the transfer, the owner had wanted to sell it and it would have rendered him jobless. When I received my second transfer, I decided to use the all amount to buy it after topping up KES 5000. I am now glad since my spouse owns this motorcycle business and has been able to provide for our basic needs on time unlike before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by giving us financial aid without discriminating anyone.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I now have milk for our consumption and sale unlike before when we only had for consumption. Owning an additional dairy cow has enabled me to earn income that I currently use in buying some personal needs and food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. For a long time, we were forced to buy milk for household consumption and this was very costly. This had left us thinking and desiring to have a cow of our own but due to limited sources of income, we could not afford to buy one until we received GiveDirectly transfers. I also used part of the money that I received to pay for my NHIF insurance fund and the rest of the money was used to buy the basic household needs and clothes for my children.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received my money.it was very was early in the morning when I heard the message from my phone and when I checked it it was a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I had just received 55000 KES. I felt so happy because I had never received such an amount of money before. My spouse and children were also very happy. I could not keep calm knowing very well that I was finally going to be able to buy a dairy cow and reduce the cost of buying milk which had been a bother to me for a long time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me. I depend on casual jobs in the village to earn an income. The income from these jobs was so little and barely enough to meet the basic household needs. I talked with one of my neighbors at some point and explained what I was going through and he agreed to give me a dairy cow on condition that he will come for it anytime. I was so happy because at that very moment I knew I would not be buying milk and the daily expenditure will be reduced. My biggest worry started when he had called me to say that he wanted to sell the cow to pay school fees for his children. After two weeks I received the transfer from GiveDirectly and this made me happy. I am so happy because my children will continue to get milk and I no longer live with worries. I have also devoted my time on other daily activities to support my income and improve the living standards of my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We do not cultivate our piece of land because it is very small and thought it wise to leave it for our two cows to graze in.As a result,we have to buy all the foodstuff that we could have grown on the farm.We therefore sell milk from our cows in order to buy food.Recently,there was a severe drought and the cows hardly had any grass.The milk yield was therefore insufficient to meet the needs of my family.It became a huge struggle for us since we do not have another means of income hence my spouse and I were forced into manual jobs.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning through to mid day.This is the time when am out grazing the cows.It makes me happy that it is through this that we are able to get by as a family,and that at the end of the day my family will afford a meal.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will have money to purchase building materials.I have a small hut which serves as my family's kitchen but it is old and during the rain season the grass-thatched roof leaks.My spouse and I have always been wondering where to get money to build a better house so that my current house becomes our kitchen;and GiveDirectly came to the rescue with the transfers.With the remaining money,I will be able to fulfil the other basic needs that my family lacks.
