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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 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 never received the transfer since I now own a dairy cow. Due to this, my family now has enough milk for our consumption and for sale to earn an income. I use this money now to cater for our basic needs and to pay school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a good job during baraza by making sure that most of the people understood about GiveDirectly and what's required during enrollment.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to buy some building materials to use in building a house for my children and also built a chicken coop. I settled on this since my son usually sleep at our neighbors house and its usually unsafe for him walking at night going to sleep. Also, I spent some amount to pay school fees for my son who was joining high school this year. I am glad because I have enough time to look for the remaining fees. I used the remaining amount to buy food and other basic needs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 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 bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me. I depend on casual jobs in the village to earn an income. The amount of money that I could get through that is so small and could only gather for the basic needs of the family. I did not have extra money to save to enable me to buy a cow. When I received the money the first thing that I did was to buy a dairy cow. Currently, I no longer buy milk but rather sell the surplus milk at the market to earn an income to meet other additional needs for my family. I also no longer do much of the casual jobs in the village. I have devoted much of my time on my own farm. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our standard of living.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy. It was very early in the morning when I was checking the messages on my phone, I did not know that GiveDirectly has sent the money. I felt so happy the money I read a message confirming that I have received a sum of 55000 KES from GiveDirectly. I knew from that point that I will be in a position to buy a dairy cow to cut the cost of buying milk daily.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy a dairy cow, I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. I also bought clothes, food for the family and the rest of the money I bought wire mesh ready to build a poultry house.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock act as a store for wealth as well as a source of income which we use to meet household needs. Receiving this money means adding two more dairy cows to my existing herd. Since my first born child will be joining high school next year, I do not have to worry about the source of funds now that GiveDirectly has given me a head start in form of financial security to invest towards it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a casual labourer working in a timber selling business. I get my dues at the end of the day, usually in the evening. This is usually the happiest part of my day knowing I have money to provide for the family especially food for the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine investing so much money and effort in farming and reaping a paltry harvest extremely lower than cost of expenditure. This has been the case with maize farming in my community for the last decade due to a persistent soil borne disease. Consequently, this shortcoming has diminished the option of diversification giving rise to overdependence on livestock for livelihood. Having such a single source of income cannot entirely meet incessant household necessities like food, clothing and children's education, let alone saving for future.
