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 ($527 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfers in building a kitchen since the previous one was in a bad state. It would also be a sleeping room for my fast approaching teenage children. I also bought maize that would last us up to the next harvesting season. Buying in bulk is always cheaper and more efficient. I started small scale poultry farming which will assist me to generate income. In addition to that, I spent part of the money on hiring labour and buying farm inputs such as maize seedlings. I believe I will get a bumper harvest by taking good care of the plants and using the modern farm inputs. I save the part of the amount for emergencies situations.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly came to our village when we needed urgently needed the assistance. It was a dry season and most households were starving due to lack of food. We have been experiencing a drought for some time and obtaining food and water is usually a big task in such periods. Sometimes children would only come home and drink water during lunch hour and get back to school. This affected their grades negatively, their health also deteriorated due to lack of enough food. The coming of this institution lessened the gravity of the situation at that moment.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I received the transfer from GD, I have been able to buy food for my family. My children are no longer starving unlike before when the would skip several meals a day. This affected their concentration in class, especially in the afternoon. I managed to engage in a few investment activities which helped me earn more income. As I speak their health has really improved and I believe that they will perform better in their studies.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have been buying milk on a daily basis which is quite expensive and sometimes I do not have money to use in buying them which forces my family to stay without taking breakfast. When I received my first transfers, I decided to use part of in in buying a cow so that I can also be able to sell milk like others and stop buying them. Since I did not have seats in my living room, I decided to use the remaining amount to purchase some seats so that whenever I have some visitors they would somewhere to sit on.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 am when I received a message confirming that I had received money. At that moment, I was overwhelmed with joy. I never went back to sleep. Since I did not want to disturb my neighbors, I silently prayed and sung for the blessings that just came in.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Since I now have a cow I believe that I will no longer be buying milk as from April this year. This will enable me to earn some income on a daily basis through the sell of milk something which has never happened to me before. I will also be able to save some money which I would otherwise use in buying milk.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The death of my husband long time ago meant that all the duties and responsibilities of the family were left for me. I had no job and he was our bread winner and as a result providing for my family became an uphill task.I had to auction some of the properties so as to be able to cater for the needs of the family. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I get something for my family to take for supper.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my family will have a dairy cattle, well furnished house and a small poultry business for me to generate some income. Thank you very much GD.