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 ($528 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Considering the changes which we have registered in our household since we received the money, most are so impressive and giving us hopes of working harder every day. Out of all that we have managed to do, the biggest difference in our daily life is the good breed of a cow that we bought. We are now sure that soon we will stop buying milk which has been costing us a lot of money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On the moment I received the transfers from GiveDirectly, I was filled with joy since that was the largest amount of money I have ever received in my life. Together with my family, we celebrated the blessings and all sat to plan on how best we will spend to achieve the best results.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
On receiving my first transfer, I spent the first 20000 KES on buying a cow. It was the first option for our household since for the past years we have been spending up to our last coin buying milk. I also considered buying clothing for all the members of my household since most of our clothes were tattered except only one pair which everyone would preserve for some special occasions. Household goods which include a variety of foodstuffs were also in the list of our purchases and the remaining amount went to paying school fees for my children.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that i will fulfil my dream of buying our own cow.I have been keeping a relative's cow for some years now.This has provided us with a small income through the sale of milk.However,it cannot help me in the long term because eventually the owner will come for it.Having our own will act as an investment because with time it will multiply hence I will have a good asset base that can come in handy when need arises in future.I will also use the remaining part of the transfer to pay school fees for my child in secondary school
What is the happiest part of your day?
After finishing my household chores in the household,I go to the farm or to the market on market days.It is during this time of the day tham am happiest.This is because I spend time till late in the afternoon looking for money to meet the needs of my family (working in the farm or selling my farm produce at the market) and having achieved this upto this far makes me proud.At the end of the day,I know that it is through these daily struggles and hardwork that my family is able to get by.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a child in secondary school who requires 300 USD (sh 30000) yearly for school fees.This has been a constant struggle for me because I am not in any employment.In order to settle this,I normally plant vegetables and supply the school at a price that is rarely enough to pay even a half of it.With the current change in weather patterns,one is never sure whether they can make an income from farming;mainly because there have been longer drought periods.Sometimes am forced to cut down trees in our farm to sell and offset this.Raising such an amount every year without any income source is the biggest hardship I have faced.
