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 ($463 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?
I had already planned on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because o used to buy milk and it was so costly for me. I have always wished to own a cow. My family members would miss milk and this was so demoralizing and stressful. When I received the transfer the priority was to get a dairy cow. I did not have a new goal at that time.
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 purchase dairy cows. This is because most of the people were living in small grass-thatched houses. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk and it was so costly for me. I did not have a source of income. I depend on small-scale farming and casual jobs in the village. The small amount that I would get through this was only for household basic needs. I had no extra money to buy a dairy cow. When I received the transfer I decided to purchase a dairy cow. Currently, I have enough milk for my family and I have cut the daily cost of buying milk. I saved the money which I could have used to buy milk for other household items. I also purchased a goat at KES 3,000 .this is my investment because goats reproduce faster. I will sell them when they would have multiplied to purchase another dairy cow. The rest of the money I spend on food and household items which we were lacking at that particular time. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards and enabled us to fulfill our dreams.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1pm while weeding maize when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. Immediately, I gave the phone to my daughter in law who confirmed that I had received KES55000 from GiveDirectly and I was very happy. I even stopped work and went with her to the nearest Mpesa for money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is relief from charcoal burning and school fees payment. As a widow and a mother of seven grownups it was very difficult to accommodate all grownups in a tiny room house. We have been sleeping in sacks and rags for the last 30years but through GiveDirectly we are now sleeping comfortably in mattresses and blankets.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35000 of my transfer on a two roomed 24 Iron-roofed house because I used to live in a tiny room with four Ironsheets and had leaking roofs. I spent KES10000 on beddings and clothing. I also spent KES10000 on payment of school fees for my son in high school. I normally rely on beans farming to pay school fees. I spent KES5000 on a goat for milk because I don't have a dairy cow. I spent KES 1500 on water container and KES 3000 on a sack of maize.We normally rely on charcoal burning in order to feed my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widower. It is a kipsigis tradition to deconstruct the house when the husband has passed on as a symbol that the head of the family has transitioned to be one of the ancestors. As a result, I have one house which is not decent. It is old and dilapidated and has been charred by the smoke. I am even so ashamed to welcome visitors to it. This help could not have come at a better time like this since I am now certain that in the near future I will build a better one. I intend to use KES 40000 to build the house. This will cover the cost of 30 iron sheets, labour, and other building materials. I will use the rest of the money to pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been having high blood pressure since 2018 but for the last 6 months my pressure has been stable and I have never had any challenge with it. We recently lost a relative and I was worried it could shoot up, but when I went to check in the nearby Siongiroi hospital I was told it was stable. It brought me a lot of joy and I thank God for it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The most challenging issue I am facing right now is raising school fees for my children. It is a daunting task coupled with the fact that the outbreak of covid19 worsened the otherwise bad situation. Since schools were opened , learning has been continuous to cover up for the time that was lost. As a result, I do not get time to look for fees, on the normal calendar when schools could close for a month, that was sufficient time to look for fees.
