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?
My goal was to buy a dairy cow and build a house which have already achieved. Right now, I don't have any new goal but focusing on rearing the culf so that it can get to a point of giving birth so that I can sell the milk and increase my income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does amazing job in support the poor in the community like me. Previously, I had nothing and I was living a hopeless life but now I'm so hopeful that life will change for good in the long run.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 33000 to buy a daily cow. This is because for the longest time, I have wanted to buy one but the daily KES 200 commission that I get from riding a motorcycle taxi is not enough to provide my family and save towards buying a cow. I'm hopeful that in a year or so, the cow would have given birth and I will be able to sell the milk in my neighborhood and earn some income. I spent KES 6600 to buy two chairs and a table to replace the broken ones at home and spend KES 6000 to buy two sacks of maize enough to take us through the drought season. I still have the balance of KES 7400 which I use to cater for daily expenses. I'm so grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a motorcycle rider and I do the business of transporting people from one place to another. On that day, I was in my job and I heard a message ringtone on my phone. I could not check it at that time since I was riding. On arriving at the customer's destination, I pulled out my phone and I could not believe what I saw. The SMS was saying that I had received the lump sum transfer of KES 55000 that GiveDirectly had promised. I was so happy and I could not keep the good news to myself. I decided to go back home and inform my whole family about it. They were so happy to hear this and we celebrated together.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought a very big difference in my life and that of my family. Having bought the cow that I have always wanted, I no longer incur the cost of buying milk and thus I have been able to save some money. With the money saved, I will now be able to repay back the motorcycle loan without failure hence I will no longer be in arrears. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for making this possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer on buying a cow. This is what I have always wanted the most. I usually buy a litre of milk everyday at a cost of KES 40. This daily expenditure is costly considering the fact that I have to buy other foodstuffs such as maize as well. I make around KES 500 per day from the business. Out of the KES 500, I use KES 350 in repaying back the motorcycle that I took on loan. With the remaining KES 150, I spend KES 100 in buying foodstuffs including milk and the remaining KES 50 I reinvest it in the business. I have thus not been able to make any investment due to lack of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this amount means financial stability and food security for my family. I am a motorcyclist who earns KES 600 per day, from this KES 400 is paid as daily installments for the bike which was acquired on a loan of KES 206000 from a private firm. This money will allow me to pay my daily repayments amounting to KES 40000 for three months. The incomes from the daily transportation will be saved for future use and some of it(KES 200 per day) spent on food. This means a secure future for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work in the transport sector from dawn to dusk carrying luggage, people or materials. This work amazes me because I get to interact with different sorts of personalities and this has built my character. Morning is the happiest part of my day when I wake up safe and sound knowing that I can do what I love most.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity and nutrition is the major challenge in this household. Owning a small piece of land coupled with unproductive soils has led to prolonged periods of hunger. It has been a lengthy period since we harvested maize which is our staple food. There is not much difference between my family and the people who live in urban areas. This is because we purchase all food materials such as vegetables, cereals, milk, and the processed foods such as sugar, tea leaves, and salt. Being a motorcyclist who acquired a bike through hire purchase and still repaying the cost. I struggle a lot to buy these needs for my family and sometimes take items such as milk and sugar on credit from my colleagues. The largest amount I get on a day is KES 600 and from this KES 400 goes to the daily installments required for the bike.
