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 ($465 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?
My new goal is to start a business selling vegetables in the village. I feel this will do better in my region since people have to travel to the markets which are in town to purchase the vegetables. I also thought this would be a great idea since I am now jobless. The profit would empower me to settle all the household bills timely without straining.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a good job by supporting us financially. This was honestly the best decision ever which has brought a great impact on the entire village. On the other hand, I have not seen any negative action they have done that they need to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying three goats at a total of KES 9000. As a farmer, I have been yearning to own them for a long but I couldn't afford them because of their financial status. I opted to purchase the goats because they can survive very well in my region and their offspring mature very fast. Also, I purchased a bed, a mattress, and bedsheets at KES 10000. I was initially sleeping on the traditional bed but I was encountering lots of discomforts. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for the family and cater for some other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so grateful and excited the moment I received the money because I had gotten the thing I needed to undertake the projects I desired for so long, especially the ones I had mentioned at registration in our conversations with the GiveDirectly field officers. Therefore, I was so happy when I received the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is how grateful I am ever since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly. My life has improved, I have goats that are providing us with milk and will multiply and increase in numbers. I have some kind of wealth I can say, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
What, I can say, took a huge part of my transfer are the three goats that cost a total of KES15000 because goats are an investment in our area and I believe that they will multiply, increase in numbers and I will be able to depend on them in future to address the challenges that I will face. I also spent KES7000 to settle my grandchild's school fees arrears because she was not enrolled in the GiveDirectly program and I did not want her to stay at home while I got some money. I also did this because I know it is something that I can count on when she completes her education and gets employed. She will not forget me and will take care of me. This gives me so much hope and joy.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security to my household. This is because I do farming on a half-acre of land and the much I harvest is only a 50kgs bag of maize that sustains my family of 2 for 1 and a half months. I am planning to spend KES 40000 of my first transfer to buy oxen and an oblong which will enable me to upscale my farming to produce more harvest up to 10 bags of 90kg bags of maize to sustain for more than a year. The remaining amount of my first transfer, I will use to buy a new bed and mattress to replace the old ones which do not give me nice sleep. I will further spend KES 21000 of my second transfer to buy 10 goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my household. For the remaining amount of my second transfer, I will pay school fees for my grandchildren in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up healthy is something that makes me feel happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. My husband is a heard man and I only do household chores. The income from his job is very minimal of KES 3000 per month. Seeking help from relatives has always been the case and this gives me the feeling of shame.
