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
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 4 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 the transfer in that ,I have ventured into livestock rearing for the financial security of the family. Today, I do not have to worry so much about where to get money when I have financial constraints. I saved the first few transfers and bought a few goats and poultry for rearing. I am a proud full-time farmer and my family can never lack food for nourishment. For instance,with the four egg-laying hens I sell their eggs to some of my neighbors and the money has been helpful to meet some basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly did well by recruiting their own staff who enrolled us in the project through door to door visits hence it made the project transparent as no intermediaries were involved like chiefs and village heads.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent spent my second transfer to build a decent two roomed more of a permanent house.I currently live in a plastered house, well cemented which make me feel relaxed and so happy. Before, my children education and daily household needs had been my priorities among my family needs thus I was just forced to live in my mud-wall house which frequently needed smearing to reduce the dust and prevent cracks. Sitting in front of my beautiful house, derives a satisfaction of a long desired want achieved. I have saved the remaining amount purposely for investing in a business.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I am happy that the transfer has enabled me to acquire the livestock which includes heifer and goats. It would have taken me a long time to purchase these animals if I were to buy them at my own cost. To me, these are very important assets because I know once they reproduce, I will be selling in the future to cater for my future financial needs. Owning livestock is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message early in the morning that day. I was filled with inexpressible joy when I went through it and realized I had received money from GiveDirectly as promised during enrollment. I was so grateful to them because for sure I never expected I would receive this money in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of the transfer to purchase livestock that includes a heifer and four goats. It has been my desire to own this livestock because once they mature and reproduce, I can lean on them in case of financial emergencies. Apart from the livestock, I am also in the process of renovating my house to make it permanent since it is made of mud. I purchased building materials such as blocks, sand and bags of cement to facilitate this. I also paid the mason who will make this improvement. Lastly, I spent a portion of it to cater for family's basic needs and other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our goal as a family is financial stability. This we plan to achieve through different strategies that my husband and I came up with. First, we will purchase fully grown dairy goats to supply milk within our community at an affordable price. Secondly, I will buy a sewing machine to put my tailoring skills into use and make extra income from it. Thirdly, my husband and I went for lessons in poultry farming specifically rearing chickens and we will spend part of the transfers to start this lucrative project. Since he works in one of the biggest markets in Mombasa, he already found ready market for the chickens.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon because this is when most of my clients walk in so I can plait their hair which earns me some income even just for food for that day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finances is and always has been a headache in our family. After completing my primary education, I could not proceed further with my education and I ended up getting married out of frustration. Luckily, a friend taught me how to sew but I have not been able to practice this skill because I could not afford to buy a sewing machine. Later, another friend trained me to plait hair but I do not earn much from this because I do it from home and only depend on walk ins recommended by neighbors and friends which are very few. My husband's casual work also pays less than two dollars a day which cannot sustain all our needs of food, water and education for my children.
