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 ($518 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?
My life is different than It would have been in that, I have received a grant that I had no plans of receiving. I rear livestock and all this is thanks to GD's support because on my own I would not have reached this far with the projects. My children are now attending school consistently and there is adequate food in the household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GD has been doing a splendid job in ensuring that the support reaches the intended recipient. The fact that each person receives their transfers on their mobile phones is amazing. There is no room for fraudulent practices.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my recent transfers the first thing that I bought was a bed and a mattress before doing anything else. The ones that I had were old and worn out and were the major cause of my backaches. I then bought a cow and a few goats for rearing since I had plans or raising livestock it is only that I did not have adequate resources. My door was broken and I had to replace it now that I had received the transfers. With the remaining amount, I paid school fees for my children and ensures there was enough food in the store to cover us for a while.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having a dairy cow has changed my daily life. It's the best gift I can proudly mention. I am so hopeful and happier because the dairy cow will be of great help especially for my children who are still in school. This is because I will be selling plenty of milk from the cow and supply it to the town center. I am so sure that this business will make me richer in a few month's time. There is a high demand for milk in my village and I do not want to wast time but fix the gap. My children have been staying at home due to the huge school fees balances which have been affecting their academic performance. I am so glad that now the problem will be sorted in a few months to come. In addition to that, my children will be getting milk for free and this will be a surplus to their daily meals. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for financial support.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember very well, It was one of those days that I woke up early in the morning at around 6 am when I saw a message notification from my mobile phone. Being illiterate, I had no otherwise but to wait for daybreak so that my helper could help me read its content. I was amazed when she told me that I had received my transfer. I actually knew that I was going to meet most of my needs.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on buying a dairy cow worth KES 15000. I have been yearning to keep one in my compound for a long time but I could not afford it due to financial constraints. Owning one at the moment is a great achievement for me. I also bought a new bed and a mattress. I had been sleeping on old mats. This was really tough because, at times, I could be attacked by some harmful insects. Having a peaceful sleep nowadays is the best gift that GiveDirectly has given me. I later bought new school uniforms for my children who had old and torn ones. Additionally, I decided to cleared school fees for them. The remaining amount of money was spent on foodstuffs for my family that would take us to the next harvesting seasons.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock rearing has been my greatest desire but this aspiration has never come true due to financial challenges. The earning from my casual activities of charcoal burning cannot fully support my family's basic needs not to mention saving for buying livestock for future needs. Receiving this money means enabling me to buy 10 goats plus 1cow at a total cost of utmost $450. This will act as my long term investment plan that will help me to cater for the school expenses of my children once they advance their studies. On the other hand, I am planning to spend $100 to buy new beddings in order to replace the old ones and this will mean a good sleep since currently, I am spending sleepless nights with much body pains in the mornings because I sleep on the floor. The remaining amount will aid in constructing a kitchen to shift it from our main house and this will mean a better living standard, something that I have missed for long.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening tend to be the happiest part of my day due to the fact that, I usually get ample time to rest from my busy day. Unlike in the morning when I am required to work in my farm before I resume my charcoal burning activity, a job which drains much of my energy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income to enable me to support my family of 5 has been my biggest hardship. Currently, our work with my husband is not favourable since burning charcoal that can produce utmost 10 sacks means spending the whole month. It's income is usually $50 per sack and this cannot fully support the needs of our family. In most cases, my children has been sent out of school and as at today I still owe the school $60 for last term's fees. This means, come next year 2020 January, I will have the burden to clear the arrears before they resume classes, something which worry me a lot.
