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 ($443 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I do have new goals. Since I added some chickens to my flock after receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I have seen an increase in revenue through the sale of eggs. I plan to add some more chicken so that I can earn more income through the venture. The savings which I have made from the sale of eggs are enough to expand the poultry farming project so that I can earn more profits.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What I like about GiveDirectly is that they gave us money which was enough to improve our livelihood, I like the fact that they send the money to a mobile money account for each beneficiary. The evidence can be seen in our village where most people improve their shelter from grass thatched houses to iron sheets roofed houses.
What GiveDirectly never did well is leaving those single mothers who are living with their parents due to a lack of finances to have their households. This group of individuals would deserve to be assisted more than us whom we have where to live. To me, this group would have been included in the project since they raise their children on their own and do not depend on their parents or family members to provide for them. They struggle single handed to make ends meet for their families.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For a very long time, I used to buy milk at KES 80 per day and that was so costly for me. Though I work as a teacher, I would find it hard to save enough money to buy a dairy cow due to my little income. When I got my second transfer, I spent KES 43500 on buying a dairy cow that was recently calf down. I am glad that at the moment, we have milk for use at home and I no longer spend any on buying the same. For the remaining amount, I spent the first portion on buying feeds for my chickens and the rest on buying foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 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 around 8 am while spraying my livestock. That's when a friend called notifying me of the arrival of his transfers. But was not aware because I had left my phone far away from the livestock spraying zone. Later on, after spraying is when I checked and confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and withdrew the money after a few days.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is the purchase of a water tank which has enabled my family access to clean water.
Additionally, through the transfers, I started a layers rearing project. This will be an additional income source for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of two and have been working as a high school accountant for the past seven years. My wife also works as a temporary primary school teacher.
Before GiveDirectly, my biggest challenge was accessing clean water. This is because water from nearby sources is not healthy for consumption due to the clayish nature of the soil. Therefore when I received my transfers, I spent KES 21,000 on a 3, 000 liters water tank. This is big enough to store volumes of clean rainwater for a longer time.
Secondly, I used KES 10,000 as capital to start a 100 chick layers rearing project. This is because there is a ready market for poultry in our area. After all, only a few people practice poultry farming in our place. In addition, I have used KES 13,000 on chick, growers, and layers mash since I started this project.
Lastly, I spent KES 5,000 on two bags of maize. So far one bag is over and the remaining bag will sustain me for the next month. This has helped reduce household expenses because earlier on my weekly household budget was KES 1,200.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean a better education for me. I had to differ from education course at Mount Kenya University. This was because my father had overwhelming responsibilities for my other siblings in secondary level. I have been engaging in a casual job of being a school messenger, but recently I secured a teaching job from a nearby junior school. I have worked for three months now but since I do not have the qualification as a prerequisite for the job the payment is very minimum. In a month I earn KES5000 which we end up consuming for food and other basic household needs. I have since been thinking to go back to school and have my course cleared and today I am supper excited that the dream will be realised. Therefore I intend to pay KES.80,000 to the school and use the remaining in purchasing food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, I was able to secure a job that is inline to my career as a teacher. I felt happy about it as it makes me learn and get more practice that will enhance my career path. The reward for the nob is not really felt but the experience is much worth it to me. Also my family are able to afford a meal out of this.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge that I currently face is the acquisition of my certification as a teacher. We started schooling with my peers way back in six years back now. Quite a number of them managed to clear and graduated. Unfortunately because of financial constraints, I was not able to clear my course and to me it is demoralizing. I feel inferior about it when we are together which is challenge to me.