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 ($501 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 42000 of my second transfer on buying livestock which includes two dairy cows and goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead. My expectation is that this livestock will reproduce and increase in number. Beside being assets to me, at least I have something to readily rely upon in order to meet my future financial needs because I can sell the offspring to raise money. I spent the remaining amount to buy some foodstuffs as well as paying for other household expenses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The strategy that GiveDirectly has used in enrolling and giving us the unconditional transfer is different from the past experience we have had with other Non-governmental organizations. At least everyone in our village received the money and used it to improve their living standards which is different from the experience we have had with other organisations. In my opinion, reaching us in our individual households and giving us the transfer was the best way as far as alleviating poverty is concerned and this is what GiveDirectly did well. According to me, I do not see anything that GiveDirectly is not doing well.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different because I have acquired some livestock which are a source of wealth to me. I own two dairy cows and goats which I am expecting them to reproduce and have many of them. I can sell the offsprings to cater for my future financial needs. Furthermore, I will be getting milk from the cows for my family's consumption and I will sell the surplus to generate an income. This income will help me to pay for my household basic needs. I also managed to build a toilet through this transfer. I bought enough building materials to facilitate this. Before then we couldn't access a toilet. We were mainly depending on the nearby bushes which was exposing us to the risk of waterborne diseases. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because we are safe now since we are now using a toilet unlike defecating in bushes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfers on purchasing four goats and two dairy cows. I am planning to sell milk that I will get from these cows and consume some of it. Since few people sell milk in this village I know I will get a good number of customers. This will help me sustain my family and meet my family goals. Atleast I will not be depending on casual jobs in order to earn income. I also built a latrine. We used to relieve ourselves in the bush. This was embarrassing because I had to hurriedly finish helping myself when I saw someone. Part of the money was spent on buying a bed and a mattress. Previously, I used to sleep on sacks down on the floor which was very uncomfortable. I also bought a steel door since I had a wooden one that had cracked and had loosely attached hinges which was not safe for my family. The remaining amount was spent on food that would push us for a while.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy because I knew that I was going to meet my goals. At first, I thought they just came to pass time. I knew they would never fulfill their promise. Initially, they sounded like a joke: I mean who gives out free money at this age. But after I got to hear from people and from the Baraza which I had attended, I found out that they were very genuine and were only committed to helping people. I am grateful for the change that I have experienced using this transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to build a latrine. Previously, I used to go to the bush. These were the most embarrassing moments. I could never relieve my self in peace especially when I heard someone was approaching my direction. People have talked ill on me a number of times and it was so humiliating and embarrassing. I am glad that this will not happen again. I feel happy using my own latrine. At least I do not have fidget like I used to do while peeing in the bush. Nowadays I am composed and carry myself like a lady when I go to relieve myself. I thank Give Directly for removing this shame in my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband depends on charcoal burning to make ends meet but the work is tiresome and takes 3 to 4 months to get returns. During this period of waiting, I would rely on my two daughters who lived with me for food and other basic needs such as medication as they both did casual jobs to earn income for the family. Unfortunately, they both passed away a few years back and this devastated me alot. Inadequate financial resources has been and still is my biggest setback in life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because my friends and I come together and head to the farm to weed our crops. During this time, we work while having interesting conversations that make us laugh and this motivates me for the day.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Herding is the one job that am really good at because I have been doing it for the past 3 years. However, the animals I herd belong to my neighbors and friends and my only compensation for the work is to consume the milk the animals produce. Receiving this money means buying my own livestock, herding them and benefitting fully from them.