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 ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The reason why I acquired live assets using my transfer is so that they can increase in number over time. My ultimate goal is to buy a piece of land so that my children will have a permanent reminder of GiveDirectly in their lives. I have five children who are still at the primary level and I believe that I will have achieved my goal before the responsibilities of paying secondary school fees catch up with me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I have seen a great change in my life and that of my neighbors. I now own live assets that I did not have just like other people and at a glimpse, one can see how the village is sparkling and full of newly constructed iron-roofed houses. I know that this would not have been possible had GiveDirectly not decided to give out an unconditional transfer. The decision of GiveDirectly to enroll people who are still struggling in life is the best thing they did.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I did not have any living assets of my own when GiveDirectly came for enrollment. When I received my second transfer, I decided to spend them to achieve this goal and due to this, I spent KES 28000 on a dairy cow and KES 12000 on the purchase of two goats. Acquiring them has changed my daily routine since I no longer work as a casual laborer like before rather, I always strive to feed them. In addition, I am happy that my family always has enough milk for consumption and we have been able to save the money that we usually spent on them. Apart from this, I spent KES 6000 buying two three-seater seats and on the remaining KES 6000, I spent them on food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was about 9.00 a.m when I received a message on my phone. Upon checking, it was a message confirming a receipt of cash transfer from Give directly. I was happy and immediately called my husband to inform him about the same and he was equally excited. He requested me to go withdraw immediately since we had already planned on how to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the addition of a soon-to-calf heifer and sheep to my livestock. This will enable me in the future to sell surplus milk and hence improve on my savings which I can use to settle all household bills. I am so grateful to God for such support and looking forward to the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receipt of the first transfer, we spent Kshs.30,000 on a soon-to-calf heifer. This will be an addition to my two cows which are currently producing inadequate milk hence cannot sustain my family. I am hopeful that once it has a calf, it will produce surplus milk for both consumption and sale to get an extra income to cater for other household items.With Kshs.12,000 I bought sheep which once it has reproduced, I can sell when the need arises. Lastly, with the remaining amount, I used to buy food and clothing for my family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We depend on our two cows for family income that we use to sustain our family needs. I get KES 90 per day from selling 3 litres of milk which is hardly enough to cater for all the needs and sometimes we lack. My family is still young and I would want to invest more on livestock keeping to secure their future and be in a position to pay for their school fees. I will therefore buy another two cows worth KES 30,000 each so as to double my income from KES 90 per day to KES 180 per day. This will be a stable source of income enough to support my children education needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up to see another day. I always look forward to a better day each day because I know it's another opportunity to change life by fending for my family and this motivates me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of reliable source of income.The KES 90 per day we earn from sale of milk is not enough to cater for all our basic needs. We have to supplement with doing casual works in other people farms which is seasonal and during dry season like now there is no work to do.
