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 ($466 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The additional goal that I have in life is to expand my current shop business. This is because I have been buying stock in bits due to lack of capital and I do not have more customers since I do not have most of the household items that people need. Expanding this shop will enable me to make more sales in a day since more people will be frequenting my shop. In addition, I will also be going for more stock at least once a week and this will help me to reduce the amount that I usually spend on transport.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly did well by educating us before enrollment and giving us phones that have enabled us to communicate much easier. Also, they did well by enrolling people without any discrimination and giving us unconditional transfer that enabled us to transform our lives. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 10000 to pay school fees for my children to avoid them being sent back home, bought a dairy cow worth KES 30000, and used the remaining amount on food, clothes, and to expand my shop by buying more stock. I have six children in different levels of education and I have been depending on farming to pay their school fees and to meet our needs. The dairy cow is an investment that I can rely on in paying school fees for my children through the sale of income. Also, I will be able to save the money that I would otherwise spend on milk.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I first realized that I had received my first transfer. I was alone at home when I received a message notification and had to read through it. The balance in my account was the final assurance that I had received the promised amount from GiveDirectly. I was happy to inform my son who came in later and he was very excited as well. I had to rush to the nearest market on the same day, withdrew part of the money that I used in purchasing a lactating cow with a calf at a total cost of KES45000 as we had agreed as a family.
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 dairy cow that has provided us with an extra source of income after selling milk every day. I have been able to fund an informal saving group with KES320 every week. In the group, I have teamed up with other 45 members where each contribute the same amount every week.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES45000 of my first transfer immediately after withdrawing on the same day I received it. I could not wait any longer as I had been spending a lot on buying milk for my family of seven. Spending KES50 for a liter that was not enough to prepare at least a cup of tea for everyone was never easy. I am glad that we now have enough milk supply and can afford to sell the surplus every day to earn income. I also spent the KES7000 on paying school fees for my three children and the remaining KES25000 on buying a sack of maize for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will finally have dairy products for domestic and commercial use. I always buy 1 litre of milk daily at a cost of KES 50 for my family to use. This has been the case ever since because I have never owned any dairy cattle.I intend to use KES 50000 to buy 1 dairy cattle that is ready for milking. By doing this, I project that not only will I have milk for my family, but also surplus to sell at a nearby market center. I will use the remaining part of the transfer to clear school fee arrears for my six children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Due to the nature of my work, I am not around for most of my daytime as I have to go and attend to casual works. The usual tasks I get include working on the farms or being hired to sell items during market days. Therefore, I have to plan myself wisely for the day as my school-going children must find lunch ready when back from school. The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I successfully plan my day well as I leave for work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine losing a sole breadwinner all of a sudden and being left alone to fend for your family. This has been the case for me ever since I lost my husband in the year 2016. I have six children who are studying. One of them had to pause while in his second year of university education due to lack of school fees. The rest are continuing with their education courtesy of grants from the government and well-wishers. I have remained powerless to educate all of them as I have no regular source of income. I solely depend on casual jobs just to provide for their basic needs. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
