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 ($493 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 bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I only depend on small scale farming. The produce that I get is only for consumption. Sometimes I sell the surplus at the market to earn an income to meet other basic household needs. Currently I own a dairy cow and I no longer buy milk. My family have enough milk go drink everyday. I sell some at the milk shops to get some money for other basic needs. GiveDirectly has enabled us live a better life than before. I am so much grateful for the support.
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 build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received from GiveDirectly to buy a Dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I also bought a water tank for storing clear water for drinking and also for domestic use. Finally I bought food for the family because we don't have enough in store during that time. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard to be better.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Though I have been working so hard to achieve my plans, it wasn't possible to do so since I had alot of responsibilities awaiting. When I got my first transfers, I felt so happy knowing that all my plans would come to pass.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having achieved most of my plans which I have been yearning for it for too long is the biggest difference in my life. Now I got a lactating cow which gives us milk which we use to make some tea and some for my children to drink. We now have very good clothes which personally when I put them on, I feel good in it and walk with confidence.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I was receiving my first transfers, I was buying milk on a daily basis and after I got my first pay I opted to buy a lactating cow at Kes 34000. Am happy that I was able to solve the issue of buying milk for use at home. I also bought a wire mesh for constructing a perimeter fence around my poultry house for security purposes. I then bought some furniture at a cost of KES3400 and clothes at Kes 5000. The remaining amount of KES 10000, I spent on buying foodstuffs like maize, beans and rice.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Adding one cow for milking to the one that I already have is what receiving this money means to me. This will ensure surplus milk production hence more milk for sale. I also intend to initiate a poultry project that will help supplement the income generated from selling milk and this means reduced worry level on where to get my daily income from.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I live with my three grandchildren who's parents relocated to nearby towns in search for employment. In my old age, the company of these young souls in the afternoon when I arrive from the farm to rest makes this the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to unreliable rainfall patterns in this region, farming which is my main source of livelihood has become less dependable. My 1-hectare piece of land that I cultivate only yields 5 bags of maize annually that we end up feeding on with my family, hence none is left for commercial purposes. I own one cow that enables me to buy small household commodities such as sugar, salt, vegetables among others, by selling 1 litre of milk daily for 45 shillings. This is the biggest hardship I face.
