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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($431 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?
My new goal for this year is to build a bigger house that comfortably accommodates my family since the one that we currently live in is quite small. I would also love to fence my compound all around.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly ensured that the enrollment process was transparent and that everyone in the village who met their eligibility requirements had a fair chance of being chosen. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for giving me such a large sum for the first time and allowing me to choose how to spend it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a livestock and cash crop farmer. When I received my first transfer, I bought two dairy cows to rear at home. Seeing how they have been a great source of income for my family, I decided to add another one to the herd. I got it at $450 and I do not regret buying it. With the increased flock, I hope to get more income from them. The furniture that we have been using at the house was not in a good state and thus I upgraded it buying two more chairs which cost $50. With the remaining $30 I bought some second-hand clothes for my three children and me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 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 9 am while at home feeding my dairy cow. That's when I heard my phone ring and on checking, I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and withdrew it on the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is buying a second Friesian dairy cow. This will be a source of income for my family once it reproduces. For five years, I desired to have a second dairy cow but couldn't afford it, and during dry spells, we were forced to buy milk.
Additionally, through the transfers, I have bought high-density mattresses for me and my wife. These are more comfortable compared to the previous one which forced us to wake up earlier than usual due to discomfort. But nowadays we oversleep due to the comfort which comes with high-density mattresses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since at my age I cannot do heavy tasks anymore when I received the transfers my priority was a dairy cow. I, therefore, spent KES 45,000 on a Friesian dairy cow. This is because it was easy to manage as it does not require many feeds. Additionally, it produces high quality and quantity of milk when well fed. For instance, the Friesian cow that I had earlier gives me 6 liters a day.
Secondly, I spent KES 5,000 on a bag of maize. This is because hunger is very prevalent in our place. And to feed we normally rely on casual labor but GiveDirectly transfers the household expenses have been reduced.
Lastly, I spent KES 5,000 on two mattresses. This is because the previous ones were worn and were uncomfortable to sleep on. This, therefore, forces us to wake up earlier than usual.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting another source of income through dairy farming. I want to buy a lactating cow and build a good cow shed using the first transfer. I do casual jobs to earn a living to support my family of four. We are growing older and I prefer to invest in milk production because it is easy to run. This will serve as food for my family allowing me to save KES 2000 per month and from the surplus, I can sell to earn money. It will cost approximately KES 50,000 and from the second transfer, I will build a two-roomed iron-roofed house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, I harvested five bags of maize from my one acre of land. This had never been three years before. It brought me happiness as it has sustained my family all through from which I sold two bags and earned KES 6,000 which I used to offset a loan from a microfinance bank.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I have is food insecurity. I end up spending KES 200 per day on food alone. It is therefore difficult to make any other investments like dairy farming because I have never saved money from my income. I hope to get an additional income from selling milk once I buy a dairy cow. This will enable me to buy enough foodstuffs and also cultivate more land.
