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
55000 KES ($480 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?
I am planning to venture into chicken layers rearing. This will be an additional income source for my family majorly to supplement household expenditures.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to give aid in form of cash. This has empowered even the poor to understand to know to use a mobile phone. It has also enabled them to safeguard their financial security information before and after the withdrawal of money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In 2018, I got a job as a county security enforcement agent and my priority was building a semi-permanent house. Therefore when I started getting my salary I also started building a three-roomed semi-permanent house with a veranda. Though I managed to put up the structure slowly over the past four years I ran short of money to do the floor and the ceiling.
Therefore, when I received my second transfer I saw this as an opportunity to complete my house. I, therefore, spent KES 8,000 on 12 bags of cement, KES 12,000 on the sand and KEs 8000 on two trailers of gravel, KES 7500 on cardboard, and KES 7000 on laborers. So far I have managed to cement two rooms only, the sitting and bedroom.
The remainder was spent as follows; KES 6,000 on repayment of debts, KES 3000 on a bag of maize, and KES 4000 on clothing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was tilling the land that morning and at 9 a.m I received a message notification. On checking it, I was surprised to learn that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so excited because had been patiently waiting for this day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving this cash transfer, my family had to buy milk at KES 30 a litre every day. This was costly for us, especially since I work as a security guard at the County Government office and earn very little. To make matters, we experience delays in salaries for more than three months, sometimes. This has made our lives very stressful.
So I was to receive the transfer that enabled me to buy a dairy cow. It supplies us with enough milk for the household and we get to save the money we would spend on buying the same. Thanks, GD!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since my family has had to buy milk every morning, I decided to spend KES 35,000 on the acquisition of a dairy cow that could supply us with the same. I also spent KES 25,000 on improving the roof of my house that I had begun construction but did not have enough money to complete. I'm so happy that my children and wife now have a decent place to lay their heads.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In my homestead we share one cow with the extended family. We all depend on it for milk and because we are 4 families the milk produced is not enough for all of us. Owning a dairy cow for my household will mean that we'll have enough milk each day and we can also sell the milk to other villagers. The transfer I get will aid in purchasing a dairy cow worth KES 40,000. I'm part of a merry go round saving group and on most days I'm not able to contribute for it, but with the money I'll get from selling the milk I'll be able to contribute in time. I also want to start poultry farming of layer chickens worth KES 10,000 and sell the eggs to make extra income for the family. As for my second transfer I want to finish cementing my house, kitchen, buy food and clothing for my wife and 2 children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I work night shifts as a security guard I only get to rest during the day. The happiest part of my day is mid day when I can rest, sleep, spend the with my family and not worry about work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a security guard at a nearby school on night shifts.My salary for every month is KES 17,000 before taxation. My son just joined school and my wife gave birth to our second born a month ago. They all depend on my income and it's not enough to carter for school fees, savings, clothes as well as food. That is why the biggest hardship I face is insufficient finances.