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 ($443 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?
The new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is purchasing a heifer and hens. When I received the transfer I found it worth investing in the dairy keeping project. This will enable me to get enough milk for the family and even sell the extra to earn an income. besides that, I purchase Five hens, which also will be another source of income. I will sell the eggs. I am so grateful because this could have taken me quite some time to achieve.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and buy dairy cows. Other than that most of the people paid school fees for their children in various schools and bought water tanks for storing clean water for domestic use. 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 on purchasing a heifer. This is because sometimes I used to buy milk and this is so costly for me. When it reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk for the family and sell the surplus to earn an income to meet other household basic needs. I spent KES 3,000 on purchasing five hens. I will sell the eggs at the market to earn some income. besides that, I bought some cushions for the seats and spent the remaining money on food, clothes, and household items. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard to be much better than before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6pm while preparing supper when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and relayed good news to my family who were equally excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is furnishing my house with modern seats because my house was empty at least after completion.Through the transfers I also have an additional heifer which will soon increase my family income. Through the GiveDirectly transfers, I bought food in bulk which can sustain me for the next two months but before we used to buy food on a daily basis due to low daily income. I am also grateful because my kids are now smartly dressed with the latest clothing fashion which we couldn't afford.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES23000 on a heifer as an addition to the dairy cow I had.This is because it will be long term investment for my kids in the near future.I also spent KES10000 on furniture because I had just completed my house and it was new and empty. I also spent KES10000 on food and clothing. I normally rely on farming on sweet potatoes, vegetable and maize farming for food and income.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We were in the process of finishing up on our iron roofed house. It has stalled because of financial constraints . Give Directly came at the right time , we are now certain that we will finish up on it and furnish it for occupation at the soonest time.This will be a great achievement because all along we never had a descent house to welcome visitors whenever they come visit. We intend to use approximately KES 20000 and the rest of the money to purchase a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Building an iron roofed house for my family was a big achievement. Even though it is not yet complete,it just a small part remaining and furnishing it. Frankly speaking it is a great milestone to us . We can now harvest clean rainy water from the roof as opposed to a grass thatched house which we could not.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food security is a major problem here. We buy on a daily basis a 2 kilogram packet at KES 110 which to us is expensive. Our disposable income do not measure up to meet the demand. It suffices to say we cannot afford in many instances. We sometimes sleep on an empty stomach.
