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 ($502 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would not have been having a cow by this time if I had never received this money. The cow is a source of income because of its dairy products. Dairy farming is the mainstay agricultural activity in my village. I would still be behind the rest of the members of the village because a majority of them had some while I di not. I am happy to have an income source just like everyone else here.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by enrolling all the members of my village because they qualified. It was done so fairly and they did not listen to rumors about eligible people because some people would maliciously use it to have some people removed from the project.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received on buying a dairy cow. I then paid school fees for my children in various secondary schools. Because of the need to have a source of income, I decided to establish a source of income by preparing to be a milk producer. I will be using the money to meet my children's school fees needs and to provide school supplies for them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Among the many differences which I have seen in my life since I started receiving the money, the biggest difference is the purchase of a cow. Currently, we have great expectations since we are now looking forward to our cow calving down mid next month which will still be a double blessing to us.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On the moment I received the transfers from GiveDirectly, I was filled with joy since that was the largest amount of money I have ever received in my life. Together with my family, we celebrated the blessings and all sat to plan on how best we will spend to achieve the best results.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
On receiving my first transfer, I spent the first 20000 KES on buying a cow. It was the first option for our household since for the past years we have been spending up to our last coin buying milk. I also considered buying household goods which included foodstuff and also clothing. We could not leave the clothing out for all the members of my household since most of our clothing was tattered except only one pair which everyone would preserve for some special occasions. We decided to save the remaining amount went in preparation to pay school fees for our children comes January.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The money from Give Directly will make me a proud owner of my own cow.The cow I have right now was given to me by a relative so that it can help me get milk.I will buy a dairy cow worth Ksh 30,000(300 USD).The milk that I will get from the cow will help me pay school fees for my children as well as satisfy some of the basic needs.School fees has been a burden for me for quite sometimes.I will therefore use part of the transfers to pay school fees arrears and first term fees for my children.I am required to pay Ksh 25,000(250 USD) come January.I have one child in secondary school while another will be joining secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the early morning hours doing the house chores before embarking on farm work till noon.In the afternoon I look after the cows.Evening is the happiest part of my day.This is the time when I get to relax with my children after a busy day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest burden has been paying school fees for my children.I have always wanted to give them my best but that has not been possible due to lack of money.My daughter who is in her second year of secondary school received a letter admission to a well performing boarding school but I could not raise money to take her there.She was forced to go to a day school closer home.She was very disappointed.I am worried that this could happen to my second born who is currently sitting for her final exams in Primary school.I currently have fees arrears amounting to Ksh7,000.Sometimes my daughter is sent home for lack of school fees.I depend on subsistence farming which does not give me enough.I cultivate 0.3 acres of land.This piece is enough to give me only 3 sacks of maize.
