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 ($518 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having a dairy cow is the biggest difference I ever achieved so far. Owning a cow means a lot in this village. Most of the people who own cows are the well off households and I can't imagine I am now one of them. I feel lucky and blessed because with this cow I will never lack anything. First I will be getting milk for my family consumption and this will make my family healthier. Secondly, I will be selling part of the milk to my neighbors which will earn me income. I give my special thanks to this organization for coming to my village. I had almost lost hope in life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give directly is a unique organization I have heard of so far. Their idea of giving out unconditional transfers to improve the living standards of the poorest individuals in my community has never happened in this region since I was born. Our lives have changed and this is evident through the permanent iron-roofed houses that have been built in our village. One can rarely find the temporary huts that once filled the whole village. Secondly, the majority of us now have some livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep since this has always been the dream from most of us. According to me, GiveDirectly has not done anything bad. I pray that God will bless them so that they continue helping other people.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a dairy cow at KES 15000 and two hens at KES 300. I have always had an interest in rearing livestock but I could not afford it. When I got the means to own one I did not hesitate to buy it. Secondly, I bought some building materials. I bought 60 building poles at KES 1320 with an intention to renovate my house because its condition was critical. I am also planning to start a business of selling some vegetables in the local markets with the remaining amount of money.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Putting food on the table had been a challenge to me because I have no one to depend on nor any work which I get paid at the end of the day for doing it. Since GiveDirectly came to my household, food has been continuously available for my family as I used part of the transfer to purchase it. To me, providing a good diet for my family is the biggest difference in my daily life and I thank GiveDirectly for making this happen.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was told of the notification in the morning from GiveDirectly by my helper who checked for me and confirmed that GiveDirectly had sent the transfer. This made me so happy and I rejoiced together with my family for the fortune.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of the first transfer on buying three goats of which I am planning to rear them well and that they reproduce and increase in number. I thank GiveDirectly for the financial support since I now have something to depend on. I know that in case I am faced with a financial challenge, I will be able to sell some as they multiply to help me out of such a problem. Apart from this, I bought some building materials to renovate my house which was in a bad condition for so long because I had no money to cater for the cost of renovating it. I needed to replace the old rooftop which could leak during the rainy season with new iron sheets and timber so to be stable to withstand any rains. I also bought enough foodstuffs to feed my family because this has been a challenge to me considering that we do not have a source of income to depend on. The transfer has now enabled me to provide food daily for my family unlike before.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband and I solely rely on ourselves despite our old age. We majorly depend on farming but the weather is not favourable as for now. Currently, I depend on my old husband whose seasonal job is to attend political rallies and presents traditional songs and dances. The payments from this is at most one thousand shillings. In addition, he is also a herbalist. Out of the income he gets, we have managed to buy goats and also sustain our family needs. Receiving this money will mean changing our life for the better. We shall buy a pair of oxen and an oxen plough to help us expand our farming and possibly hire out to our neighbors at a fee. This will earn us income for our family. We shall use the remaining amount to buy goats since we majorly depend on livestock keeping.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite of the many challenges we face as an aged couple, my husband struggles a lot to make sure we have something to eat. After a long day in his herbalist job, he brings home something to eat in the evening. Having time together with my husband sharing a meal makes me feel very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life in our village is very hard. Getting daily meals is challenging. Considering my husband's old age, he has no reliable job to sustain this family. Lack of reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced.
