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?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I am now a proud owner of two dairy cows. I believe that they will be calving very soon and I will be able to earn income through milk sales. Also, I believe that I will be starting to build a more spacious house for my family very soon. This is because the transfer enabled me to purchase all the necessary materials.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by enrolling everyone in our village and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent some amount from my second transfer to buy some building materials. I am intending to use them to build a spacious house for my family when the rains stops. Also, I bought a heifer for rearing. This is an asset to me that I can lean on in case of financial challenges. I spent the remaining amount to buy food and decent clothes for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have a dairy cow I used to buy milk and it was so costly for me. I depend on informal jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get from such jobs is so small and was only for the basic needs of the family. I did not have the extra money to buy a cow. I used to wake up very early in the morning to go look for a job and come back home late at night. I did not have time to bond with my family. Currently, I have bought a dairy cow and I no longer do much of the casual jobs. I have devoted much of my time to my own farm and this has led to good production. I sell the surplus milk at the market and I get the money to meet other extra basic needs for my family and save some amount for school fees for my children. My life has completely changed in that I have enough time to interact with my family and plan things together. I am so much grateful for the support.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy. It was very early in the morning when I was checking my phone as usual, little did I know that GiveDirectly has sent me some money. I felt so happy the moment I read the message confirming that I have received 55000 KES. I have never received such an amount of money before. I depend on the casual jobs in the village and the amount of money I get is so small. I immediately planned on buying a cow the following week.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy a dairy cow, this is because I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me because I depend on the casual jobs to get the money. I also bought new beddings, utensils and finally food for my family. We did not have enough in-store at that particular time.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a single mother I have no one to help me raise my two children.I therefore want to expand my sources of income inorder to help me raise them well.Buying a dairy cow is one of my priorities.The milk I get from the cow will ensure I get milk for sale and for consumption as well.I will also build a one bedroomed house.The one I live in will remain as a kitchen while the other one will give me enough space to host visitors in a decent way and a bedroom for that matter.My current house is only one room.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a subsistence farmer and I require a lot of energy to work in my farm.I therefore enjoy the morning hours since I am usually strong enough making me do a lot of work contrary to the evening hours.In the afternoon my output is very low especially because of the scorching sun.I depend on my farm to feed my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have gone through many financial constraints in my life.I did a course in tailoring but I have never used my skills because I do not having a sewing machine.This has limited my income.I was once employed for only six months but I could not continue because employees increased each day and priority was given to those who had sewing machines.I have always wished to own my own sewing machine so that I could open my own shop.With money from Give Directly I now have hope that my dream will be realized.
