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 ($432 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?
My goal next year is to focus on the poultry farming business. I am looking forward to having double the number of chicken that I have now and accomplishing this means that in the near future, the business will earn me some good income and will be able to pay school fees for my children once they join high school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is empowering us through the unconditional cash transfers. I have seen people build houses, start small businesses, paying school fees for their children and generally changing their standards of living. This means so much to my community and we are super grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few years ago, I started a poultry farming business with few chicken which had multiplied into 300 by the time I was receiving my second transfer. Due to financial constrains, I was not able to fence the compound something that had seen me struggle with predators which will sneak into the compound and eat the chicken. With the second transfer, I was able to spend $250 to fence the compound and the predators have now no escape root to the compound. I also spend $30 to buy more chicken and the balance to buy food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment my transfer came in, I can recall that I had left my phone back home since I was busy with the farm work. My children came running towards where I was looking all excited and happy. Upon asking what the issue was, that was when they broke the good news that we had received money From GiveDirectly. I was so happy that I left what I was doing at the moment and headed home so that we could embark on planning how we would utilise our money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am happy and contented that I was able to purchase a dairy cow with the support that I received. This would mean that we will have enough milk production for our consumption and also earn an extra income from selling the milk. Secondly, I started a poultry project and I am optimistic that it would grow to a large scale with proper management. I am so grateful for the support that brought a positive change into our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer and my husband works as a driver, together we are blessed with four children. Upon the receipt of my initial transfer, my husband and I settled on using our transfer money in buying a dairy cow. We owned one before but the milk production was not enough, therefore we used KES 15,000 on purchasing a cow. Secondly, I bought a barbed wire for fencing where I used KES 23,000. Additionally, I used KES 5000 in starting a poultry project. Lastly, we used the remaining amount on foodstuffs. I am forever grateful for the support that changed our living standard amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I desire to start poultry farming to boost my income but due to financial constraints, I have not actualized my dreams. The income from subsistence farming goes into meeting my family of 7 basic needs and school fees for my children. Receiving this money makes me delighted because my priority is to start poultry farming. I planning to use KES20,000 to purchase fencing wire and improve the current poultry house of 60 chickens. The rest of the transfer I will use to pay school fees for my children and a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last six months, my family has been healthy and happy. This has given me the energy and strength to concentrate on my farming activities and take care of my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge we are facing currently is food scarcity. We depend on subsistence farming as the main source of income which is unreliable because of prolonged drought and crop diseases. In the last planting season, I harvested two sacks of maize that only sustained us for 2 months.
