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 ($473 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I didn't had before receiving the transfer is purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I didn't had the money to buy a cow. I depend on small scale business and the profits was so small.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well buy giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to buy dairy cows and pay school fees for their children. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 to purchase a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. The rest of the money I added stock to my small scale business of a retail shop. This earns me an income to meet other household items. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a dairy cow. Were it not GiveDirectly I would not have own all this assets. I am so grateful for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
it was around 9 am when I was tending to my father's cows in the fields, my brother came rushing towards where I was, he looked happy hence I had nothing to worry about though I was anxious to know what was exciting him, he then told me that he had received money from GiveDirectly, immediately I reached out to my phone so that I could confirm if I had a similar message, upon checking I realized that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly, I was so overwhelmed with joy, I knew that with the money I will be able to convince my wife to return home. I am thankful for the wonderful gift that I received
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This is a one time opportunity, I never thought that I will one day own a dairy cow, My wife came from a different region where it is fertile and they have plenty of food available, when she came to our home it was difficult for her to adjust, I had no money, there were no available jobs too, she decided to leave because things were worsening day in day out, but my life is different now because I used my transfer wisely by buying two dairy cows, I also bought iron sheets which am hopeful that I will be able to complete my house with my second transfer, after my accomplishment, I will then go for my wife, GiveDirectly has done so much for me and I am grateful for the support that gave me a second chance in life for me to be happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After completing my secondary education, my dreams of furthering my education were shattered due to lack of school fees, I started doing casual jobs to earn a living, I was blessed with a wife and a child unfortunately we separated because I was unable to provide for them, this was a bitter pill to swallow, life became meaningless when I received my transfer I bought two dairy cows worth KES 25,000 and KES 15,000 respectively, this is because I am hopeful that this would enable me convinced my wife to return, I then bought iron sheet so that I will be able to build a decent house for my family, I am grateful for the support that was given to me because it gave me hope of a better tomorrow.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition is to be a self-employed poultry farmer. I am a casual labourer who lost his job last year due to the COVID pandemic. I had to come back to the village to start over. I have tried applying for jobs but it hasn't been an impressive search since I only managed to finish form four, yet other completitors for the same jobs have degrees. I believe being self employed will really help me in getting a stable income and growing financially. I will use my first transfer in starting a poultry farming business. This transfer will include building a chicken house to protect them, chicken feed and then 50 chicken. $200 will be for setting the chicken house, $100 for chicken feed and any medication the $250 for the chicken. If in a day 50 chicken all lay eggs and they get sold I will be able to have $50 which will be very helpful considering now that I get only $10 on days I get called to do casual jobs
What is the happiest part of your day?
On days when I get to work and get paid is when I am mostly happy. Each day I wake up not knowing if I will be able to have food or not and this is determined on whether I got a job or not.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life has been financial stability due to unemployment. One and a half years ago I separated from my wife because I didn't have an income to support the family. If I had a stable source of income then she wouldn't have left me. I wasn't fortunate enough to go past my secondary education because my father did not have money to send all my 5 siblings past that level of education. It meant I had to have something extra whole applying for jobs since most requirements are degree certificates.
