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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Every morning I take my livestock out to the field for feeding and taking water, I fell so at peace in my heart. This is because I do not have so many things in life but they could not worry me as much as lacking livestock. When I heard GD will give us financial support, I knew I was going to finally fill the gap in my life. This is why after settling fees for my children, I bought two cows and two goats with my first transfers which have been my source of joy and peace of late. I know without the transfers, I would not have managed to get them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I feel good that I got money from GD. It was the best way we received help because other NGOs have not only selected a few for support but also give an item which sometimes is not helpful. People have different needs and giving cash to everyone was the best way to help us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying building materials which I have used in replacing my old roof. The iron sheet used was old and leaking and I felt the wind might blow my roof off anytime. This is why I chose to replace the existing one. I also used part of my transfers on buying household items such as bedding for my children since they have been sleeping on old and thin ones. They have not complained but I know they did not have comfortable sleep. SO I decided to upgrade for them The rest of the transfer I used on clearing fees arrears for my children so that they may not be sent home anymore for fees. I am not worried again about them but focused to ensure they are always in school
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I appreciate how my life has changed since I own an ox and a dairy cow which are my source of wealth . I anticipate in about twelve months , I would have gotten an offspring and the dairy cow shall be capable of giving me milk . Therefore , I will no longer incur much on purchasing milk for my household consumption and it will also be a source of income through the sale of surplus milk and the offspring as well in the foreseen future . Most of my neighbors have been successful through keeping livestock . I used to desire to follow the same path through determination and succeed as well because working as a masonry at building site has not worked for me over the years as the meager income I did get . I feel its time to take a different direction as GiveDirectly's transfer server to be the capital to set out livestock rearing.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I woke up at 5 am in the morning and as my usual routine . I turn on my phone and got an Mpesa message notification indicating GiveDirectly had sent me money . I was doubtful and decided to confirm my Mpesa balance account after confirmation . I felt very happy that GiveDirectly had fulfilled its promise. I immediately inform my spouse whom we celebrated together because all our life we had never benefited a lump sum amount of money in form of donations . Truly speaking , at that instant , I thought I was a dreaming .
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy an ox , dairy cow and a goat worth 33,000 KES . I am a proud owner of livestock which has always been my dream and I am glad that it was made true by GiveDirectly . I bought a mattress and a bed . The remaining amount I have bought building materials which is facilitating the construction of a chicken cope since I intend to start rearing chicken for commercial purpose .
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My desire in life has been to construct a spacious house for my family but I have never fulfilled this wish due to inadequate financial resources. I am a casual worker who construct houses, a job that earn me 5 dollars per day. This job is tiresome and inconsistent as I can stay for almost two weeks without job. The little income is always spent on food leaving no coin for other basic needs like a shelter. This has forced my 2 elder children to seek refuge from their grandmother's house something that doesn't earn me the honor like my brothers. Receiving this money means a respectable house and restored respect something that I have missed for many years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because waking up healthy and refreshed for the day after a long night relaxing from my casual activities give me strength and hope in my life. Unlike in the morning where I walk around the village looking for work and working until evening where I return home feeling exausted .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income to fulfill my life desire has been my biggest challenge in life. My current work of constructing semi permanent houses within the village is not reliable and I am always in dilemma of how I can construct a house for my family.