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 ($490 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference is that I am a proud owner of a dairy cow, This was in my plan before but I could not afford it due to financial constraints and lack of a reliable income, we prioritised paying school with any little amount that came our way so that the kids could not be sent home, I am so grateful that I managed to clear their fee arrears, I feel so relieved and settled, I no longer worry on selling any of our belonging. We thank the organisation for the unconditional transfer that impacted our lives positively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly are open and transparent, they are not biased when giving out the Aid, So far I don't see anything they are not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving my transfer from GiveDirectly, I spent part of it on paying school fees for my children, This has been a major challenge in our lives due to our financial status, we all depend on our land for income, unfortunately, we get very little to sustain all of us on our daily needs, I also bought a dairy cow and a goat which I am hopeful that in future we will have returns.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($513 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving the transfer came with a package of happiness to me and all other members of our household. We were all thankful and even felt that the satisfaction we had, and the joy could be made known or seen by the office staff who had us enlisted. This money was new hope of seeing our deserted fields with livestock again. We are still grateful that all we had planned is currently up after obtaining livestock and paying school fees with a part.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Bringing back livestock into our fields has been the biggest difference in our daily life. Although we have not started earning any proceeds from them, we are full of hope and at least have a project to hold on to and develop at the moment. This will transform into something big before long since sheep's reproductive cycle is short growth is also fast.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving our first transfer, we had a great plan to invest a bigger portion in livestock. We needed at least a heifer or a cow if the market prices would have been fair, and some sheep as we have wider grazing fields - enough for a free-range. After consideration, we managed to put a fair share on 5 sheep and one heifer later. We opted to obtain a good breed of a heifer since our projection was to build on a future milk-production plan. We also managed to complete the school fees payment for our son who is currently in secondary school. All these seem to have set us free as we are now working harder to see that the livestock regeneration process is a top priority that will later be sold to usher in a new project.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My household depends on subsistence farming for an income, we harvest cereals such beans, maize, millet and sell them to small scale donkey farmers who pass by our village. We can not afford to take our harvest to the nearest cereal board because it is very far, so most of our produce is consumed locally by the villagers and near by villagers. Receiving this money will mean a lot to my household because I will use it to invest in livestock keeping. I believe livestock keeping is a profitable choice for business. Sell profits made from the livestock will aid in paying for education for my children and in general my total income will have increased.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On my usual day I wake up at 7:30 in the morning, take breakfast and head to my farm to plough and dig mostly unless it is harvesting time. At around 2pm after my lunch I take our cows for grazing until evening when I get back to relax with my family and have dinner. The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I am herding my livestock because I get to interact with my peers, and talk about politics and what is going on in the village.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is not providing my family with all the basic needs,especially education. When it comes to food security and housing I would say I have tried my best so that my family can eat and have a place to sleep. But it has been a challenge I raising school fees for all my 5 children who are still in school. Two of them are in Secondary school and 3 in primary school, sometimes they get sent home for school fess and I have to borrow from friends to pay. Having enough capital will really help me in curbing the school fees issue and my children will be able to learn without too many obstacles.
