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 ($492 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a heifer. I used t buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village to earn an income. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including paying school fees for my children. I am so happy because when my heifer reproduce I will get enough milk for my family and sell the surplus at the market to earn an income to meet household needs. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a heifer. When it reproduce I will cut the cost of buying milk. I also used part of the money to repair my motorcycle. The rest of the money I used it to buy food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfers was around six fifty in the morning while we were still asleep . I was very happy and relayed the good news to my wife who very excited too. In no time we woke up, my wife cooked breakfast and we bought went together to withdraw the money.
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 dairy cow which is a dream come true. This is because before I couldn't afford and right now I am very because I can milk my dairy cow. Through the transfers, I also bought varieties of food for my family and I can attest that we have grown fatter as seen from my wife's chubby cheeks. Since I received the transfer there is a lot love and happiness in my house and my wife can't help smiling all the time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 300 USD on dairy cow because I couldn't afford one before and this forced me to buy a liter of milk each day. 150 USD was spent on putting up a modern kitchen which is better off than one I had initially. The initial one was old and grass thatched and there is scarcity of roofing grass in our place. 15 Dollars was spent on three chicken layers as a familys income source, 90 USD on clothing, 10 USD on maize seeds and the rest on food.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been hired by one of my neighbours to operate motorcycle taxi, transporting clients and goods to various destinations. I usually split my daily earnings (of about $10-$8) with my boss. Receiving this money therefore will enable me to acquire a second hand motorcycle at a cost of $550 that I will be operating on my own and keep all my earnings myself.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a motorcycle taxi rider, I usually spend all my day on the roads transporting my clients and other goods to various destinations, a very risky job that entails dealing with careless drivers on the roads. My prayer always is that God keeps me safe at work, since I am the sole breadwinner of my family. Evening reunion with my wife and 1 year old son is always the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Acess to food security is the biggest hardship we face in my family. We own a 7 acre piece of land for farming but due to prolonged drought in this region, the farms are unproductive. I am an employed motorcycle taxi rider transporting clients and goods to various destinations around Bomet and I split my daily earnings of around $10-$8 with my boss. I spend all my earnings buying food for my parents as well as my own family thus I have not yet been able to build up savings to initiate bigger projects that would supplement my earnings. Life is indeed a struggle for me.
