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 ($421 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?
Our area now lacks electricity, but there are plans in place, and it is expected that in three months electricity will be installed in our area. My objective is to establish an electric posho mill in order to grow the current business. I have already started saving money for it, and I'm hoping to have raised enough money by the time we receive power. I will be able to manage my business and attend to my sick child thanks to this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I believe GiveDirectly does a good job of choosing those who are most in need to benefit from their program. The selection process is transparent because they don't consult with any politicians or government representatives. My family and I are able to buy a full day's worth of food, and I also run a business. We owe the organization for all of these things. I advise them to assist more individuals because the program is excellent. Nothing that they are doing is incorrect.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was inspired to buy a dairy cow because the dairy products company opened a branch right next to our house, ensuring that there would be markets for our milk. As a result, I am thrilled since the dairy cow I purchased with the most recent transfer for $300 is about to give birth. As I am the only source of income for our family, the money I will get from milk sales will help our finances. Because my physically challenged child requires constant supervision, I am unable to engage in a variety of economic activities. Thus, it will be a relief to receive milk revenue. We utilized $50 of the $230 I had left to buy food that would last us for a while, and the rest was used to launch a maize sales business. I appreciate the help because it helped me out financially.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 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 6 Am when I switched on my phone because I had charged it overnight. I got a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I have received some money. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. It was one of the happiest mornings I have ever had. I informed my spouse and he was so happy too. We spend the whole day planning on how to spend the transfer and withdraw the following day. What stood out was buying a piece of land since we lived on a small piece of land.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Purchasing a piece of land is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because we lived on a small piece of land. we have always wanted to plant Napier grass for our cows. When we were enrolled in the program we felt so happy because this was an opportunity to invest in this. I depend on dairy farming and poultry keeping project, This earns me some income. I was not in a position to save since of the daily expenses and household basic needs. Currently, we have land we have started to plow. I will plant Napier grass for my cow. I will get enough milk and cut the daily cost of buying feeds which is so expensive. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 50,000 on purchasing a piece of land. This is because we lived on a small piece of land. We always wanted to plant enough Napier grass to feed our cows but this was not possible because we had no money to buy land. Currently, we have land and we have started to plow it. We are so grateful because this could have taken quite some time to own. I spent the remaining amount of money on food and household items that we were lacking.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a woman who believes in self-employment and I do not have to depend on my husband for everything. I am passionate about dairy farming after learning it from my father who still practices it to date. It has taken me long to start because I started by buying a 1-acre piece of land which I had to take a loan of KES 400000. I am happy because I will complete servicing the loan in two months. I intend to spend KES 40000 to buy a quality Friesian cow that will produce 10-liters of milk daily if it is fed with the right feeds. I also plan to spend an additional KES 10000 to buy the feeds, especially the dairy lick that will provide the necessary minerals for maximum output. Receiving this money will start me off the journey of being self-employed
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband is a police officer and he is always away on special assignments. He rarely stays at home and that keeps me worried because of the nature of his job. Last week he was at home and having him around just makes me so happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was born and bred in Konoin Sub-county a place synonymous with heavy rains throughout the years. I got married in Chepalungu and this place is the opposite of where I grew up. The biggest challenge that I face is lack of water for household use and this is occasioned by prolonged droughts that see rivers dry up. The distance to the nearest water pan 3kilometer away and that means I cannot make to carry water on my back through that distance. I hire a motorbike to ferry it and I pay KES 20 for every 20-liter jerry can delivered home. In a day I spend KES 200 which would have been put on other productive activities. I do not know for how long we will suffer like this because of water shortage