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 ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I wish to continue doing my horticulture farming and small business to be able to meet my daily basic needs and pay school fees for my children in primary school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The enrollment was perfectly done without any biases and everyone who received the transfer invested well. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well, all the stages from training to receiving the transfer were done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $500 on purchasing a piece of land from My neighbor. I lived on a small land and this was limiting the farming activities that I do at home. I had always wished to buy land but I did not have the money. I depend on small-scale farming and a business of selling eggs. This would earn me a small income and I was not in a position to save. I had so many responsibilities including paying school fees for my children in primary. I am so grateful because currently I have a bigger land and I do horticulture farming. I get enough food to feed my family unlike before when I would struggle and even buy from the market. I paid $20 on paying school fees for my two children. Their performance has improved since they were not sent home like before. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and clothes. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
With all my plans set, I was very happy when I first received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. It was around 5:00 PM and at that moment I was at a funeral in the neighborhood with part of my family whom we celebrated together. Most of the people received in that same scene and you could hear some words of gratitude as the villages exchanged smiles. I thanked God and withdrew later that week from the nearby shopping center.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the distinct growth witnessed after the complete payment of the piece of land and the plentiful supply of milk from the dairy cow that I bought. At the moment, I am no longer buying milk like I used to do but selling the surplus from my farm.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had two goals that stood out right from the enrolment day to the receipt of the transfer that I, with the other six members of my household, was determined to achieve. As a single mother, it has been my priority to own a piece of land where my children can grow and also a dairy cow to cut the cost of the milk that I had been buying. With the first transfer, I am happy. I was able to purchase a lactating cow at KES 35000 and cleared a balance of KES 22000 for a piece of land that my house is sitting on at the moment. I am happy that my children are now enjoying a plentiful supply of milk and not worried about any eviction from the piece that I have fully paid for it.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of four with two currently living under my care. Like any other mother, my biggest ambition is to see my family have a comfortable place of their own to call home. I own a 0.2-acre piece of land which I bought with the support of my son. I am happy that we own it and we can take pride in it even though it hardly supports our needs. I primarily depend on casual jobs and the egg business earning an average of KES 370 a week. This is too small to see a family of four through with the daily household expenditure and other family needs. To me, receiving this money means an answered prayer. I am planning to spend the entire amount to buy a piece of land. This will be an asset to settle, have peace and engage in incoming generating activities. I feel I will be the happiest mother given that I can comfortable have somewhere to give my children to inherit from me. Thank you GiveDirectly for coming through for me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have lived a difficult life since a young age. I missed schooling and the hardest was missing the love of my parents since they passed while I was still young. I later went into an unstable marriage were fights and engaging in illegal activities were the daily norm. I got depressed since I did not know peace or love all along. In the last six months, I feel happy having joined an African Gospel Unity Church. I have so far enjoyed my life meeting new friends who are so welcoming. I stopped the brew of illegal drinks thus no longer having to run away from authorities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I do not have a formal job to earn a living. I majorly depend on casual jobs and small businesses earning approximately KES 370 a week. I own a 0.2-acre piece of land which I share with my married son. To me scarce resources in the major challenge, I am facing.
