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 ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to be able to buy a saw milling machine. Currently I do construction work and the income that I get from this work is hardly enough to feed my family. I am a father of two and being self employed will make me more independent and raise the living standards of my family. Saw milling is a booming business currently in my area and anyone ho can afford the machine makes more income from it and results in better living standards at the end of the day.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well in giving us unconditional cash and the sensitization that came before the transfers was so helpfu. At first there was a lot of rumors about the source and the intention of the money which had made most of us to be worried and unsure of whether to receive the money or not. The training given to us during a meeting held before we received the transfers dispelled all these rumours and made us acept to receive the money without fear of any misfortunes that we had been earlier made to belive were attached to it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 24000 to buy a young heifer and used another KES 5000 to help pay for a piece of land that we had paid almost in full by the time we received the money from GiveDirectly. The remaining amount of money was used to buy food, clothes and other basic household needs for the family. GiveDirectly has helped us a great deal and my two children and wife are a happy lot. The things we have been able to accomplish with theis money are things that we would probably have not achieved anytime soon had we not received the money. I personally feel so lucky and happy to havebeen part of the beneficiaries.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on Friday when I had gone to work where I work as a mason and my wife called me to tell me that the transfers had arrived since she had the phone. Another neighbour also called me to ask if I had received the transfer and I confirmed to them. I was overjoyed at work.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had always wanted to own a cow but family needs could not let me save to buy one. I have been buying milk for my family since we got married. With the cow we bought from the transfer, we will be able to milk our own milk and sell surplus and earn more income for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We bought a young heifer. We also bought seats for our house and clothes and house utensils and a cupboard. We also bought a solar battery, solar panel and lighting bulbs.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me and my family. We have been desiring to purchase a dairy cow of our own. My source of income is from the casual jobs I do and it's not enough to sustain my family's basic needs hence I have not managed to purchase one. Our father has been providing us milk since he has two dairy cows. Sometimes it's not enough because my brothers also depend on this. Though this milk could have been his source of income, he gives it to us for free. I have been seeing as if we are now becoming a burden to him. In case we receive this transfer we will purchase a dairy cow for 20,000 shillings. For the remaining amount, we will pay school fees and pipe water into our compound.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Working in building sites as Manson is not an easy task. This requires a lot of energy because it involves lifting heavy stones and other heavy tools. At the end of the day, I feel very exhausted. During evening hours after successfully finishing my work atleast now, I get time to rest and that is my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income has been my biggest challenge. I do casual jobs as Manson, due to the low living standard of my neighbors getting this work is very difficult. Sometimes one can stay the whole week without getting a job. Also, due to prolonged drought in my area subsistence farming cannot do well hence you can stay the whole day doing nothing and the family expect me to provide basic needs. This has been stressing me as a parent for failing in my responsibilities.
