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
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years, I am hoping that I will be able to fulfil my dream of having tap water in my homestead. My children will no longer have to trek for so many kilometres to search for water. It will be a relief to them. Additionally, I can also decide to start a home garden and plant vegetables.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well by giving out transfers to transform the poorest individuals in my region. A better percentage of us now have decent houses, and livestock among others. Therefore I do not see anything negative from their end that needs to be changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two dairy cows at $280. I settled for them because they have so many benefits which include milk production. I am planning to sell them milk and uplift my living standard. Later on, I paid fees of $150 for my two children who are in their second year of secondary school. Currently am relaxed knowing that they will no longer be sent home for a whole academic year. This will improve their performance greatly. With the remaining cash, I have been buying food for my four children and settled all the pending bills. Being a single parent, it has been quite a challenge raising the children without any reliable source of income. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for coming through.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While in the field grazing my goats, I received a message on my phone, and if I can recall it was around 5.30 pm. Since I do not know how to read, I did not bother checking till I reached home. I gave the phone to my daughter who confirmed that the message was from GiveDirectly who had sent the promised transfer. Learning that I had received KES 55000.00, though I did not show it off I was the happiest mother in the village for receiving such an amount of money for the first time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can talk about is the fulfillment of my heart's desire. For a while, I had a desire for livestock raring but due to lack of money I could not. I am glad for GiveDirectly because through the transfer, I was able to buy the livestock and I am now a happy herder.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I desired to invest in livestock because they are safe to look after and can be converted to monetary value if the need arises. Therefore, when I withdrew the money, I bought two cows and two goats for KES 29000.00 and KES 7000.00 respectively. Thereafter, I paid KES 5000.00 for school fees for my secondary school child and KES 200.00 for examination money for my two primary school children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The target is to ensure I restart livestock farming. This is because crop production is no longer reliable due to the dry weather condition that we have experienced in our area. Receiving this money will enable me to revive my herd. I am planning to use the first transfers to buy 10 indigenous goats. As they multiply, I will sell at a profit and use the proceeds to cater to basic needs such as food, education, and medical expenses. The second trench will help me renovate my house by plastering and purchasing beddings. Once I accomplish this, I will be happy and always remember Givedirectly for making my dream come true.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life has been moving as normal to me. However, the fact that I am in good health gives me joy and happiness. This is because it gives me the drive and determination to work hard and fend for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife passed on three years ago and left me with 4 children. I depend on casual jobs such as fetching and selling firewood as well as charcoal production. The work is not reliable since the main markets are secondary schools, thus sales are low on holidays and high when open. In a week I can earn KES 700. The money is not enough to cater to the needs of the household of 6 members. In a day I need KES 300 for food only. Due to this, I have been struggling to save enough money to improve my living standard. Hence, a lack of a regular source of income is the major challenge that I am currently facing.
