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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Now that I have added one more cow to the ones that I have, my next goal is for me to purchase a parcel of land, with this measure I would be able to secure a spacious land where my cattle can graze freely, I plan on reaching this goal using my little savings from my daily wages, am grateful for the support that changed our lives amazingly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does it work well, they are respectful and patient, more so they were not biased in their line of duty thus we are grateful for the support that lifted our living standards amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a bodaboda rider, married and blessed with a child, Upon receiving my transfer I thought of buying a dairy cow so that I would increase the milk production in my home, hence with it, I would be able to generate more income, I was unable to buy a cow before due to financial constraints in that, raising all the money at once was difficult because I depend on my daily wages from the Boda Boda business which is not much. Thus I used KES 35,000, I then used KES 10,000 on fencing my land, lastly, I used the remaining amount in buying foodstuffs and other household items, I am happy for the great milestone that I achieved in a short while.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was still home with my wife that morning when I received a message from GiveDirectly. After reading and confirming that it was indeed that transfer we had been anticipating, I was super happy, got excited, and thanked God for the great support we had received. Since we had laid down all plans, we could not wait any further but withdrew the same day and spent the first portion of it on what we could buy on the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Obtaining an additional cow in my field is the biggest difference so far in my daily life. The fact that it is currently lactating already gives me a reason to smile as it cushioned me on the extra expenses I would have spent on buying milk. I can now use the spared amount on settling other household bills. I am grateful that a lot happened within a very short period after receiving the transfer, and I am hoping to do a lot more when I receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the only cow I had been having, I have always experienced dry seasons where I was forced to buy milk from the neighborhood. This struggle had been pushing me to think about how best I can obtain another lactating cow and has never been possible until recently when I received the transfers. I managed to obtain one at KES30000 and am now feeling covered as I will be alternating their breeding schedule through Artificial Insemination. I also had a new house that needed a new piece of furniture. I spent KES 12000 on chairs and a table making the interior part of the house looks good at the moment. I also obtained a medium-sized water tank that will be useful in collecting and holding clean water meant for drinking since the water fetched from the rivers around are not clean enough exposing us to the risk of waterborne diseases. I am also glad that I used the small remaining amount in obtaining clothing and enough foodstuff for my family of three.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means building a poultry house and buying chicken to keep. My wife keeps only a few birds that gives KES 50 from the eggs she sells daily while I run a motorcycle taxi business, earning about KES 300 a day. This is just enough for food. I therefore need to raise more birds and fence the compound to protect them from eagles and dogs that prey on them. To do this, I require an amount close to KES 40,000, mainly to buy building materials, buy more chicken and feeds. I will use part of the transfer on this. I will then spend the rest of the money on a dairy cow and to paddock my farm, buying fencing wire and posts. My income from milk and eggs will increase from KES 50 to about KES 500 per day. This will make me a happier family man.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day.My motorcycle taxi job starts very early in the morning. i spend the entire day on dusty, rough roads, frying people and goods to earn a living. I pay so much attention to this activities but its only in the evening that I look back and see how much I have made while I rest at home. It gives me joy to be with my family having eaten enough because of my efforts during the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face in my life is food insecurity. Perennial droughts in my area renders farming insufficient as all the crops, mainly maize have been failing. We have to buy all the food items we take from my KES 300 income that I make from motorcycle taxi business . It strains me since we spend approximately KES 200 per day on food alone. If I manage to increase my income from poultry keeping, it will only be because of GD supporting me.
