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 ($439 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?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was a blessing from above. This made it easy for me to initiate a goat-rearing project where I used $175. This was not easy before, due to financial constraints. I had goats before but it forced me to sell them out because of the school fees responsibilities that were causing a daily headache. Thereafter, I thought of boosting my husband's business where we used $200. I am a farmer, married and blessed with four children. I am relieved that at least I have a goat project which is easy to multiply and also to maintain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support from GiveDirectly lifted our living standards highly. We were allowed to choose for ourselves how to utilize our money. We are forever grateful for the kind gesture that the organization bestowed on us. In my opinion, the organization was well organised, thus we did not experience any challenges or anything that needed to be corrected.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a member of a Sacco where I save money every month, though in small instalments. I believe that in future I will qualify to take up a loan to start a retail shop. This would be an additional source of income. I have always yearned for one but unfortunately, this has not been easy due to school fees needs and other pressing needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($462 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I saw a message from GiveDirectly confirming the receipt of the entire amount they promised, I was thrilled. I was alone at home that day since I was not feeling well, but had to be up at that moment. I waited for my husband to come back home from town and he was very excited to see the message, even though he had gotten the news from his friends a bit earlier.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved standard of living and a renewed hope of making a better home for my family of six through the renovation that I have just started after receiving the first transfer. I am also glad my livestock farming got a boost when I introduced a heifer that will potentially increase milk production.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid KES 25000 for a heifer from my neighbor, who was selling right after I received my transfer. It was an opportunity I could not afford to lose since part of our plan was to add another breed to our herd for future production of more liters of milk. I also bought 22 iron sheets and cut down some trees at KES 23000. At the moment, I am planning to revamp the old house I had been living in with my family of six. In addition, I purchased enough foodstuff that we are currently using, as we hope to replenish when I receive the second transfer. I am grateful for the steps we have taken so far and hope that I will accomplish the renovation that I have just started on my house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will increase my husband's business of household items. This has been the best income activity for my family. On a good day, he brings home about KES 1000 which we spend on taking care of our needs. I will spend about KES 30,000 on this and the rest on improving my home by building a new house at about KES 40,000 and an equal amount on buying two dairy cows.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, I was lucky that my dairy cow calved down, bringing about an income from the milk that I sell on a daily basis. I get about KES 200 per day which has been enough to cater for my family daily needs. I use the money to buy maize, sugar, cooking oil, as well as paying school fees for the children in primary school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The greatest challenge that I currently face is the lack of sufficient food in my household. For a long time, I have not been able to successfully grow maize for consumption because of poor weather and lack of money to buy certified seeds. I am looking forward to a day when I can be able to produce enough foodstuffs on the farm for my family when I spend the transfer on buying certified maize seeds.
