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
55000 KES ($479 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, I am planning to continue working hard in casual labor to fend for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to give us aid in monetary form. This has made it easier for us to access things that we couldn't afford before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When the transfers arrived, my priority was to purchase a good lighting system. This is because earlier I used the small D-light torch as a form of light for my family. This only lit a small area. I, therefore, spent KES 22,000 on a solar lighting system that lights the whole house. This helps my kids in their studies.
Secondly, I spent KES 21,000 on a heifer. This is because the current one produces only produces 2 to 3 liters of milk a day therefore low income. But as soon as the heifer reproduces there will be increased milk production hence increased income for my family.
Thirdly, I spent KES 15,000 on 20 Ironsheets for building my younger son a house. This is because currently my two sons are of marriageable age and still share a house. Therefore there is a need for each to have their own house.
Fourthly, I spent KES 6,000 on a barbed wire fence to prevent my cows from straying into the farm. I also spent KES 4,500 on a wheelbarrow and a cattle spraying pump. This will help my husband in managing livestock easily.
In addition, I spent KES 6,000 on three sofa seats and this has my house more comfortable. This is because before we used to seat on the locally made armchairs.
Lastly, I spent KES 6,400 on two bags of maize and KES 4,000 on clothing. This has helped reduce my household expenditure. This is because earlier on I used to work as a vegetable and beans vendor to feed my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning when, I was checking my phone as usual. I got a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy I have never received such amount of money. I immediately inform my spouse and children. Everyone was happy. I tool my breakfast and went to withdrew the money. Later that day we planned with my spouse on how to spend it. We are so grateful for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Buying a dairy cow is the biggest difference in my daily life I always buy milk daily and this is so expensive. The only source of income that I have is selling vegatables and doing casual jobs in the village. This two activities combine earns me small money. I have so many household basic needs. All the money that I was making was only for the family needs and school fees. I had no extra money to save so that I can buy a dairy cow. It was like hand to mouth process. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. I knew I would fulfill my dream of owning a cow. Currently I have a dairy cow and I have hope that in the next few months will get enough milk for the family. Will also sell the extra milk to earn an income to meet other household items.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I Spent KES 25,000 to purchase a heifer. I always buy milk daily and we thought it was wise to invest on dairy cow to minimise the cost. I paid KES 10,000 for my daughter in secondary school. I am so grateful because she is no longer being sent home like before. I bought iron sheets ready to build a house for my son. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a great blessing to our family. We are anguished by the devastation we have experienced in the face of unparalleled poverty that has affected us. So bad that my in-laws had mercy on us and gave us a cow for sustainability. It is a disgrace not to own a dairy cow in our culture. It is the primary source of livelihood here . It is against this background that we intend to buy a dairy cow worth KES 20000. The rest of the transfer will go towards paying school fees for our children who are in various schools.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Sometimes in May ,our eldest son secured a Security job in Nairobi. It brought us alot of joy. Coming by employment is not an easy thing ,so the small wins matters to us . He has been supporting us by sending us transfers to purchase maize .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It is no exaggeration to say that we have been treated more harshly by the poverty , specifically food poverty. As parents our actions towards our family has always been born out of love and unconditional love for our children. This has pushed us to do any form of casual jobs available in the community in order to put food on the table ,even in the hardship of the poverty,we struggle to at least get some. The situation was made worse by the outbreak of lethal maize necrosis disease that ravaged all our crops. Maize productivity in this area is now a thing of the past. So food insecurity is the hardest challenge we face.
