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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received my transfer in that I am living a better life than before. I was able to boost my livestock rearing by purchasing 2 more dairy cows .In addition I was able to pay school fees for my 6 children, whereby two had just completed their primary education and are about to join secondary in August. Furthermore, I was able to acquire a solar panels for lighting the house and my kids are using it for their night studies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Coming up with the unconditional cash transfer program is what GiveDirectly did well. Through the transfers, I was able to improve my livelihood by purchasing more dairy cows. I don't see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a livestock farmer, I have wished to boost my career by purchasing additional dairy cows so that I may increase the milk production but I lacked the financial capacity. This is because I did not have sufficient milk for the family consumption. I spent $400 of my transfer to purchase 2 local dairy cows. . The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing enough food for the family since for a years we have not received rain village.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My son informed me of an Mpesa message he had seen in my phone. I did not believe him since I was not expecting money from anybody. I decided check to confirm if this was true. To my surprise, It was indeed true, I had received KES 55000 in my mpesa account. I felt happy and thanked GiveDirectly for the help.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a proud owner of livestock having added a bull and a heifer to the already existing cowshed. I normally sell milk from the cows I have. As for the bulls, I do make up pairs as to help me in ploughing my farm. Besides, I keep these livestock as a saving because when I am faced with a financial challenge like raising fees for my children, I can sell and sort out the problem. So far, owning livestock is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40000 of the first transfer on buying a bull and a heifer to add to my already existing cowshed. I consider these livestock as part of my only assets that I can readily rely on in case of a financial need. The heifer will be producing milk which I will sell and earn an income. The bull will be helping me in ploughing my farm since I now own a complete pair. Apart from buying livestock, I did a shopping on the amount that remained. I bought new clothes for my children and enough foodstuffs that will serve us for a long period of time.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means purchasing livestock for rearing. My biggest desire is to educate my children to give them the power to secure jobs. This will bring change to the kind of life my household is going through. I believe they will be able to take care of me at my old age. Therefore, having these animals will make it easy to finance their education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest of my day is at night when I am retiring to bed. I enjoy sleeping because it makes me free of stress. It also gives me strength to face another day of hurdles.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship that I face. This is due to unproductive lands and inadequate rainfall. On a good season, we harvest 6 bags of maize that last us for 2 months. This means we buy food for the rest of the year. Since we rely on casual jobs, it is difficult to get enough money to cater for us. It is normal for us to go hungry for up to 2 days a week.
