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 ($457 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?
My main focus now is on my small business of selling shoes. I wish to grow this business to the next level. I have invested my time and money and I wish to make it the best and earn some profit to meet the needs of my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and invest in dairy farming. All this has improved the standard of living and made their live much easier. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on building materials and completed the construction of the house that I started using the previous transfer. I am so grateful because I have moved in with my family and we are living so comfortably. We lived in a small house that could not host all my family well. A part of that spent KES 3,000 on purchasing seeds and planting on my farm. I was able to plant in the right season. The remaining amount of money I spent on medication. I was not feeling well and I had visited a doctor for treatment. I am so grateful because now my health has improved compared to other days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($481 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 while attending my auntie's funeral ceremony That's when I heard one of the attendees saying that they had received their transfers. On checking my phone too, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy because the arrival of the transfers turned my mourning mood into a celebratory mood.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because through the transfers I have money for my monthly check-up and medication.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have worked as a livestock broking agent for the past five years. The income from this is majorly used for household consumption. Additionally, I have been doing small-scale farming of maize and beans also for food purposes.
During enrollment, my priority was building a modern and more spacious Kitchen. Therefore on the arrival of the transfers. I spent KES 30,000 on building a 24 Iron roofed two-roomed house. Of this KES 15,000 was used on 24 Iron sheets, KES 8000 was used on construction trees, and KES 7000 on labor costs. This is because the kitchen I had was old, tiny with rusty Iron roofed, and was built in 2005.
In addition, I also acquired a solar lighting system at KES 8000. This is cheaper as compared to the costly kerosene lantern lamps we normally use for lighting.
Lastly, I used KES 7,000 on the partitioning of my land for crop farming. The rest I have saved for medical purposes because I normally do monthly medical checks for my blood pressure and blood sugar conditions.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a dairy farmer with a plan of establishing a zero-grazing parlor for my cows. Currently, I find it challenging to look after the cows as well as feed them since they grace freely in our compound. So, I feel blessed with this transfer because I will spend about KES 20000 on building the structure. When the project is completed, I anticipate an increase in milk production and an easier task of caring for my livestock. Thanks, GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Having milk for consumption and sale of surpluses has brought us happiness. I feel that we are leading a healthy and well-fed family. Also, I have always had money for purchasing drugs (using proceeds from the sale of milk).
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Suffering from high blood pressure for over 5 years is the toughest challenge that I am facing. Although the sickness cannot hinder me from effectively handling my roles as the household head, I find it costly to manage the situation. I am always using drugs that cost at least KES 2000 monthly. So, I am worried that I might miss the drugs if I fail to raise the needed money.
