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 ($468 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?
After the completion of all that I had planned to accomplish with the second transfer, I now have a new goal to open a retail business that I will be selling to the immediate community. I am currently looking forward to raising some finances that can enhance the stocking of the shop that I have already identified.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The cash transfer to every household in our village was of great help in that we managed to invest a lot in the construction, livestock, and subsistence farming that we had been struggling with a lot. The freedom to spend on our choices enabled every individual to address the pain points in their households and ensure that they come to the same level as any other village member. No one complaint then and even at the moment, we are still thankful for the generous support that was well executed by GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 41000 of the second transfer on the construction of a new house for my family of three. We had been living in a small house that could not give my children any privacy since it was an open room. With the new construction, they now have a separate room with mine and a spacious living room where we meet to dine and share the day's experience every evening. I am grateful for this transformation that has made us more comfortable compared to how it was before. I also tilled my three acres of land after hiring a tractor worth KES 6000 and also bought seeds and other farm inputs at KES 4800 when I was planting. My crops are now flourishing, giving me hope of a bumper harvest in the next few months.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($504 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 I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9 am. When my neighbor informed me that she has received the transfer. I was doing my morning chores at home. I immediately checked my phone, I couldn't believe my eyes, there was a message confirming that I have received the transfer. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. My family really celebrated that very moment when I inform them of the good news. I knew I would be able to invest in dairy farming project which has always been my dream. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our lives. currently I have a two heifers and I hope for better things in the future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought two heifers. I had always wished to start a dairy project but I didn't had money to buy the cows. I do casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. I do small scale farming and the harvest that we get annually is for consumption. I rarely get surplus to sell it. The amount of money that I get from the casual jobs is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including paying school fees for my children. Investing in dairy farming project was just a dream. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I knew this was my dream come true. Currently I have two heifers and when they reproduced in the next few months I will get enough milk for my family. I will sell the surplus at the market to earn an income to meet other basic household needs. I will be in a position to save some money to pay school fees for my children. My plans is to improve this dairy farming project and grow it to another level. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard. Were it not GiveDirectly I wouldn't have reach where I am now. God bless GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing two heifers at a cost of 450 dollars. I had always wished to start a dairy project but I didn't had money. This will enable me to get enough milk for my family and sell the surplus milk to earn an income. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a dairy cow which could have taken quite some time to get it.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have three indigenous cattle that produce little milk. I only get surplus milk for sell during the first two months post calving. Being a widow and no regular source of income, I balance between the sale of milk and poultry products to fend for my family. There comes a time in the year where the production amount is as low as 1 litre of milk and 3 eggs daily. Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy one exotic breed of dairy cattle for 40,000 shillings and another 10,000 shillings for feeds supplements. In the long run, I project that I will be in position to milk 10 litres per day. 1 litre usually goes for 30 shillings meaning I will be going home with 300 shillings on a daily basis.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a house wife meaning I spend most of my daytime in the vicinity of my homestead. I start the day with carrying out the usual household chores then take my three cattle for grazing until evening. The happiest part of my day is in the morning when milking. This is because the amount of milk I get will determine the amount of income I will be getting on that day. The higher the volume, the more happy I become.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In 2017 I lost my husband who was our bread winner. Things have never been the same since I have to toil in order to fend for my family. I have one kid who is in class 7. I mostly rely on dairy and poultry farming products to survive. I have three indigenous cattle that supplement little milk and for me to have some to sell, we have to forgo taking them in our meals. The sale of poultry products also play a bigger role in sustaining my family. The little money I get from these, cannot comfortably sustain the needs of my family let alone the school fees. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
