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 ($454 USD)
access_time almost 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 am looking for capital to start a livestock selling business. This will lead to financial independence.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in giving aid in a monetary form which has reduced our financial burdens. This is evident in our village because those who didn't have dairy cows now have and those who couldn't afford school fees have paid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly came to our village, I had been buying milk for eight years. The cost of a liter was KES 60 a day which was not affordable at times. This is because
as a father of three, and working as a casual carpenter my salary was meager.
Therefore, on the arrival of the second transfer KES 35, 000 was spent on buying a dairy cow. This was an addition to the dairy cow bought using the first transfers at KES 30,000. As we speak, both are due in a few months, and I will be happily drinking my milk. Additionally, o once they reproduce I can sell calves for an additional piece of land since I only have half an acre of land
Further, two cocks and two hens were bought at KES 1800. This will be a source of income for household expenses soon.
Additionally, KES 8,000 was used on the latest clothing fashion for my family. This has made my family look neater than before when we used to put on unkempt second-hand clothes.
Lastly, I bought a bag of maize at KES 4,400 which has sustained us for the past two months and will be over in three weeks. As a result, my family has grown healthier and happier.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($481 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was happy after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was at home, and the receipt signified the accomplishment of the plans that I had previously put in place. I was with my entire family at the moment I received and we thank God together for the generous provision. I had to leave at around 6:00 PM to the nearby shopping center where I withdrew.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the presence of a lactating cow and a goat that brought an instant change in the spending pattern in my family. Buying milk had been straining our finances a lot but after the purchase of a cow, we have been able to improve our diet, make some savings, and even pay other bills in time using the extra amount that we would have used in buying milk.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a huge part of the transfer on ensuring that I brought in a lactating dairy cow that is now providing enough milk for my family of five. The prices of livestock hiked right after we received the first transfer and buying a cow was a priority to my family, I spent KES 30000 in securing one. We now get some liters of milk every morning and evening, which has stopped the huge spending that I used to incur while buying milk. I also brought in a dairy goat at KES 5000 that I am currently rearing for milk that will supplement the cow's production during dry periods. I purchased enough foodstuff for the household that included a sack of maize at KES 3200, a sack of 25-kilogram rice at KES 2200, and also beans worth KES 1000. I spent part of the remaining on clothing for my family members and added the remaining KES 5000 to my family's saving account.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a father of three young children with no stable source of income. My livelihood ranges from casual jobs to subsistence farming. It is always my happiness to see my family happy and healthy thus I work hard to meet their needs. My children are young and for them to have good health they must always eat a balanced diet. I spend approximately KES 70 on milk since I do not own a cow currently. Given that I rely on unpredictable casual jobs, this is so expensive for me. To be receiving this money means a healthy family. I am planning to use KES 38000 to buy a dairy cow. This is an added asset to us. It will help me cut the daily household expenditure through milk production. I will be assured of enough milk for my family consumption and surplus to sell to earn an income. I thank GiveDirectly for this support.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I do maize farming since it is our staple food. I own a small piece of land I was given by my parents. I had planted maize on it which is currently at the flowering stage. It is my happiness to look at them every day. In the last recent past, it had been sunny in our area. This was my worry since I could lose my plantations to drought. In the last week, we received heavy rains that gave brought happiness and hope to my life. My maize has turned green and regained good condition which assures me of a good harvest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife and I were not lucky to pursue our education beyond the primary level. We do not have formal jobs thus we rely on unpredictable casual jobs in the village to earn a living. I had been practicing livestock broking but this was adversely affected by Coronavirus since our markets were closed. Currently, earning a living is so hard with no formal jobs. The lack of good sources of income is my current challenge.
