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 ($422 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 was able to solve a good number of my problems with GiveDirectly's transfers. I am happy that I now have humble time to focus on crop farming and produce plenty of food for my family of six.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
If you compare my village now and two years ago, you will realize that their is a big difference. People own cattle, some build better houses and some have business to support their livelihood. Everyone in my village benefited with GiveDirectly's program in a transparent way. I feel like GiveDirectly should start a program targeting the most vulnerable people in the society. For example people with disability.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My friend gave me a cow to milk and feed my children to avoid the high cost of milk. I was feeling bad that I am rearing cattle that I do not own. At times I could feel pressed with school fees and wished that this cattle could have been mine. It would have made my life easier, I will have sold one of them and clear school fees arrears for my daughter Diana. When I received my second transfers from GiveDirectly, my first agenda item was to buy a dairy cow with KES 35000. This brought joy to me and my family. My daughter Diana who was on her secondary school education was being sent home day in day out to fetch school fees arrears of KES 19000. With this money I managed to clear all her school fee balance and she was able to continue with her studies without any disturbance.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm tending to my crops. Suddenly I heard my phone ringing. Since I do not know how to read, I asked my daughter to check for me what the message was all about. I was so happy and excited when she told me that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This news gave me the strength to continue with my farm work because I knew that I will be able to sort out the pressing need that I had at hand.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am optimistic about having a good life. This is because I was able to use part of my transfer to buy a cow with which I have been able to save up money that I was using to buy milk on daily basis. I am grateful for the financial breakthrough in our lives that brought so much happiness and joy in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I thought of purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I don't have a cow of my own, thus I used KES 35,000 on purchasing a cow. In addition to that, I bought sofa set seats at KES 10,000. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount of the transfer. I was unable to achieve the above due to unreliable sources of income. I am grateful for the support that changed my living standards in a short time.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine owning cows that do not belong to you legally, this makes me uncomfortable, and live in fear that one day the owner will come for them leaving me in extreme poverty. A long time ago my friend gave me these cows to take care of them and milk for my children. This money gives me hope of having my own, therefore I will plan KES 40000 to buy a dairy cow. My main house is also becoming squeezed for my family now that we are a family of six. This makes me think of building another house for children. I will set aside KES 30000 to build a two-roomed house for my children. The remaining money will help me boost my current business of selling cereals in Chebunyo center.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The gift of good health has been my happiness, with this I have been able to work and provide for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge now is providing food for my family. We depend on my small business of selling cereals to have some income and provide for the family. This has also been a threat to my business since at times we end up using or eating what is meant for the business stock.
