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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Waitagei's Profile
Waitagei's family
Waitagei
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($433 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am hopeful that the cow that I bought will be able to produce milk in the next one year. This means that, I will have something to supplement my main source income and I will therefore be able to comfortably provide for my family. I am also looking forward to start saving towards buying more livestock especially sheep which multiply fast and are much tolerant to this climate.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
For the time that I got to engage with GiveDirectly staff, I did notice anything that they should work towards improving and I would urge them to continue doing the great work that they normally do of uplifting people in the society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money to buy livestock; eight sheep and a cow. This is because, I have always thought of investing in livestock an activity that is more profitable in my society. Since I have a young family and I don't have a well paying job, I was not able to achieve this goal and when I received the transfers, I thought it would be a good idea to buy the livestock so that my wife who was then a housewife could have something to look after. I am hopeful that the livestock will multiply and we will have some to sell once our children joins high school. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly for the support.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 pm on my way back home from a long day at work. I met my neighbor, who excitedly informed me how he had received his funds after our small talk. I walked home thinking about when my funds would be received. No sooner had I arrived home than I heard a message tone, which was a confirmation of my funds. In discreet, I shared the information with my wife, who could not contain her joy that night.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the investment that has changed my financial situation. I used to buy milk which is expensive and a necessity because of my two children. At the moment, I have enough for our consumption and some that I can sell and get enough profits to run my day-to-day expenses. Food has been a challenge before because of the lack of a piece of land. Currently, with the lease, I have planted maize and vegetables which can be for our own consumption or sold in future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work with a mobile network operator company which lately has been affected by the Competition from other mobile network companies and Covid-19. I have been able to provide enough for my family of four members but cannot stretch to have any investments. I used KES 35,000 and bought a dairy cow, which has been providing us with milk for consumption and for sale. I also leased a piece of land for farming with KES 6,000 for the entire year. The remaining cash was spent on food and clothes for the whole family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money I will plan KES 50,000 to buy a spacious house for my family. My monthly earning of KES 6,000 is not enough for me to build a better house for my family as well as buy them food. I am currently buying milk for consumption which is expensive for me. This leaves me with the alternative of buying a dairy cow with KES 35,000. We will be able to produce milk for domestic use and thus cut family costs. This will be a sign of relief for me and will bring happiness to my family. I will also consider buying a plastic water tank to enable us to harvest rainwater.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Although my income of KES 6,000 monthly is little. I am happy that at the end of the month I have something to buy food for my family of three.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My monthly income of KES 6,000 is not sustainable for the family. This is making me struggle to put food on the table. This is making my life stressful