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 ($529 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?
My life has improved because of the reduced workload required to feed my family. I have a reduced level of stress because I managed to stock foodstuffs using part of the transfer that lasted use several months and grew maize and beans on a farm that further supplied us with food in the months that followed. I have reduced the number of menial jobs that I had to do on other people's farms. Instead, I work more hours on my own farm because I established a poultry keeping venture and bought a dairy cow that I have to tend to every day, earning income from it. The money I get is much more than what I could get from working for others, thanks to GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the good thing about GiveDirectly is that they delivered aid money right into my village that has enabled many of my neighbors to invest. From the investments, many can meet their daily needs unlike before when there was a lot of famine.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I saved the money I received from GiveDirecly at my house. I have a locker on my bed and this is where I feel that the money is safer than when it is in a mobile money account. Since I plan to build a house soon, It is also convenient to have it nearby because the mobile money service provider, where I would go to withdraw the money is about 40km away. The agony of traveling there from time to time is not only costly but also very inconveniencing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is the dairy cow that I have bought. The dairy cow that we bought shall go a long way in improving the living standards of my family by enabling us to be more food sufficient. For the first time, I also ploughed my land in time and bought hybrid seeds which I have since planted. GiveDirectly funds has brought great relief to me and I am looking forward to a pumper harvest from my farm.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy because I have never received such a huge amount of money in my entire life. I was with my husband at the time the transfers came in and I shared the good news with him and he was happy as well. We then got down to work considering that we already had plans on how we were going to spend the money once received.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used KES 48000 to buy a dairy cow and used the remaining amount to improve my house. We have a ready market for milk here and I thought this was a wise investment that would improve the livelihood of my family. Having bought two dairy cows from this transfer, I feel so proud and assured that my family shall going forward be more food secure than ever before. The home improvement have also seen us a happier family sharing the new comfort together. I am so indebted to GiveDirectly for the timely support they gave us.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to buy a cow.Currently we have a heifer which my spouse bought with a friend hence it is not fully our own.We therefore have to buy milk especially for our young child.In this area,there is ready market for milk and hence if we can afford to buy our own,we will not only have milk for home consumption but also a source of income through the daily sale of milk.This will substitute the little my husband makes from the casual job he does.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is from mid-morning till afternoon.At this time of the day,I spend time with my child and a neighbour's ,as I go about my duties around the homestead.It makes me happy because having people around me shortly shifts my thoughts from the challenges I face each day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting a maize harvest from my 0.2 acre piece of land has been the biggest hardship I have faced.For two years now,there has been a prolonged dry season when the maize crop is already in the farm.As such,the crops are destroyed hence exposing us to hunger.During this period,we have had to spare the little money my spouse makes in his casual job to buy maize bearing in mind that this is our staple food.This has then not allowed us to make any savings that could help improve our home.
