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
55000 KES ($504 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I now have a dairy cow which I couldn't afford to buy anytime soon. Whenever I go out to look after the cow, I am so greatful to GiveDirectly for coming with such an amazing project. We also have sufficient food for my family and we can't skip any meal like it use to be before. Previously, if I couldn't find a job to do so as to earn some money to buy food we would go to bed without any food.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly gave us the freedom to choose what to spend on. This was very unique about this program as each one of us has got different needs. For me, I didn't notice anything that wasn't done well this project.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My second transfers which I received from GiveDirectly, I spent KES 28000 on buying a dairy cow for milk production. I then bought food items like maize, sugar, tea leaves, cooking oil at a cost of KES 10000. I invested kes 4000 on farm inputs. I also bought some clothes for my family members at a total cost of KES 6000. Lastly, I bought some furniture for my new house and these costed me kes 7000. Am glad that I was able to have all what I wanted through the transfers which I received.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around six in the morning while still asleep and I heard my phone message tone ring. On checking I saw Mpesa notification from GiveDirectly and was very excited. I decided to still sleep on and I relayed the good news to my husband who works far away when I woke up and he too was super excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is having a huge maize stock enough to feed my family till next harvest season. Initially, I just relied on casual labor and used to it eat from hand to mouth. I am very happy because for the next five months my family's food security is guaranteed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 200USD of my transfer on five maize sacks which can sustain me for the next five months.This is because sometimes we lack food due long dry spells in our area and I usually depend on my husband's job for food. I spent 240USD on a dairy cow which is now three months pregnant because it will be a source of income come next year. Currently still buy two liters of milk per day for KES 60. I also spent 70USD on latest clothing fashion for my family because before we only only a few.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since we are unable to harvest sufficient crops from our farms due to unfavourable climate, I have been aspiring to have an alternative source of income. My intention is to acquire a dairy cow of Kenya shillings 35,000 since dairy farming is favourable in our region. I am planning to use milk for domestic use and sell the surplus in the nearby shopping centre in order to supplement from what we harvest.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I am a housewife, my day entails doing house chores during morning hours and later go to work in our one acre piece of land. I will work there until late in the afternoon where I go back home to rest and figure out what we will have for supper. This is the time we communicate with my husband on how his day was since he is also free on the evening. This leaves my evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is unfavourable climate. Owing to that, we have been unable to harvest sufficient crops especially maize in our region yet we entirely relied on it. Since the land under cultivation is only one acre, we harvest approximately 2 bags of maize which is barely enough to sustain a family of 3 for one year. This forced my husband to look for an alternative source of income as a security guard in the city earning a gross salary of Kenya Shillings 12,000. Therefore, Give Directly's grants will be boost in our lives.
