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 ($491 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 how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have purchased a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I depend on small scale farming and the harvest that we usually get is so small and only for consumption. I rarely save some money to invest on dairy farming. When I received the second transfer we decided with my spouse to buy a dairy cow. Currently I no longer buy milk because I have enough for the family, I also sell the extra milk at the market to earn an income to meet other basic household needs. I save some money to pay school fees for my children in various schools. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard and given us hope to work much easier than before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to buy water tank for storing water and build better houses. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly. I also bought sofa set seats and the rest of the money I gave it to my spouse to expand his business. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own cows and do business.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 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 exactly 1.59pm while washing utensils when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. Upon checking it, I found out it was GiveDirectly transfers we had eagerly waited for and were very keen on every SMS that came in. I was very happy and we planned to withdraw the following day because we knew the nearest MoMo agents were already jammed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is acquisition of water tank which I had desired for the past three years but couldn't afford. My efforts of saving towards buying one were unfruitful because of school fees and food. The transfers have also enabled built a new house and buy food in bulk which will sustain my family for a longer period hence saving food costs. I am also stress free and now I more good plans for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 23000 on a 3000 liters of water because our nearest river which our clean water source is two hours away. I also spent KES 24 000 on building a new kitchen because the previous one was very tiny to accommodate my family. I also spent KES 5000 on latest clothing fashion and some second hand clothes. I also spent KES 5000 on food and household items enough to sustain us longer because right now it's maize planting season in our place.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will buy a relatively large water tank for storing rainwater upon receiving the transfer. Currently, I am fetching clean water from a stream that is situated approximately four kilometers from our homestead. The task is highly tiresome because I usually carry a 20-liter jerrican daily on my back. Hence, receiving this money will be a great relief to me and a blessing to my family. I shall no longer be fetching the water, and we will have plenty of freshwater in our household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Mid-morning serves as the happiest part of my day. This is the moment that I would have arrived from the river, fetching clean water. I usually wake up at dawn to go collect the water.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The scarcity of freshwater for domestic and farming is the biggest hardship we have faced as a family. We are living at the top of a hill where there is no tap water or any water spring. As such, I have been handling the tiresome task of fetching water from a stream that is situated four kilometers from our home. Besides, we are straining to survive with the little amounts of water that I could manage to carry on my back.
