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 ($441 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 new goal is to do more investments like buying of dairy cow so that I be more empowered and in a position to foot my own bills. The cow that I bought with the second transfer is almost calving and once it haves its first calf, I will use the proceeds from the sale of milk to save and buy an additional dairy cow. I am so much grateful for the support as I remain optimistic that this new goal shall be a reality soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us the money to spend unconditionally. The fact that we were given an opportunity to decide on what to spend the money on rather than being directed was a great show of respect. This lead to people making decisions that were of great benefit to them at the end of the day. I did not find anything with GiveDirectly on the other hand that I thought did not go well or should have been improved.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 20000 to build a new house and used the remaining amount to buy a dairy cow worth 35000. I made a decision to buy a dairy cow since I did not own one having sold out those that I owned to pay dowry for my sons. This was a perfect opportunity to redeem myself and buy a dairy cow that is already in-calfed. I am looking forward to seeing it have its first calf and making our lives better by reducing the cost of living for us. I also built a new house since I had for a long time lived in a grass thatched house and felt the need to build a new one but I did not have the means to do it. I am very happy that I have been able to accomplish all these.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At my age, I no longer do much work. So that particular day, at around 4 pm I was relaxing outside my house when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. And because I don't know how to read I gave the phone to my helper who confirmed that I had received KES 55,000. I was very happy and my helper withdrew the money for me the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is to purchase a dairy cow which I couldn't afford. This will be a good source of milk once it reproduces. Initially, I had dairy cows but all were used in dowry payment. I am also grateful because I have adequate food unlike before when I used to buy in small amounts due to low income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am an old man and in my community, a dairy cow is the most precious asset everyone should own. But I didn't have even one because I had used all my cows in dowry payment for my daughters-in-law. Therefore I have been relying on my last born to feed me and my wife.
Fortunately, when I received my transfer I saw this as a dream come true. I, therefore,
spent KES 35000 on a dairy cow which is almost due. This will be a source of milk for nourishing me at my old age. A dairy cow is very important because as an old man I need milk to nourish my health.
Secondly, I had desired to live under an iron-roofed house for a long but could not afford it. So when I received the transfers, I spent KES 4,000 on house construction trees in preparation to build a better house once I receive my second transfer.
Lastly, I also spent KES 9000 on three bags of maize which will sustain my family for a longer period. Earlier on, to get food I relied on my son who does a second-hand clothes business. I also spent KES 3, 000 on the latest clothing fashion and nowadays we are decently dressed unlike before when we could only afford second-hand clothes.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wife here has been sick for the past 9 months and though we have tried to seek treatment for her condition, her situation has not improved. The clinical officers in our local dispensary had asked us if we could afford to take her to a private health facility for better treatment and the cost is estimated to be KES. 80,000 an amount which we cannot afford totally. I wish we even had some cows to sell so that we can raise the amount but I sold all of them for my children's school fees. Receiving this money therefore means that my wife will be able to get specialized treatment for her condition.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The local church here came to visit us in November 2021 and also to check on my wife's health. When they came they promised that they were going to do a fundraiser to enable us go for specialized treatment, though they have not fulfilled the promise it gave me a lot of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In my situation right now, I believe the biggest challenge is my wife's health condition. I wish we even had health insurance to help us pay for her medical bill but I cannot afford to pay the premiums which are usually KES. 6,000 annually. Other challenges that come along with her condition also is that I lack the support I used to get from her in farming our land and as you can see we no longer plant a lot of crops which has also affected our food security.
