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 ($441 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?
Financial constraints have been the main obstacle towards setting up new goals that are beyond my reach. Though, I am hopeful that if I get money someday I would wish to purchase a parcel of land for my family because the current one is still not enough.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has uplifted our living standards within a short period, all this would not have been possible. I am so happy that finally, I was able to accomplish my goals thus I am grateful. So far I have not witnessed anything that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Buying a parcel of land had been my dream for quite a long time, though this was not possible due to financial constraints. I am a casual labourer and my husband is a teacher, together we are blessed with two children. Upon receiving my second transfer, my husband and I opted to purchase a parcel of land where we used KES 40,000. This is because the family land was small, unfortunately, we were unable to due to financial constraints. Additionally, we started a goat rearing project where we used KES 3000. And lastly, we used the remaining amount on foodstuffs. I am grateful for the support that tremendously transformed my life.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 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 9 am when I heard a message notification from my phone. I reluctantly check it out I did not know it was a message from GiveDirectly. I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow and cut the daily cost of buying milk. My family members felt so happy too. I stayed for a day and withdrew the money the following day. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have purchased a dairy cow. This was my main concern because I spend much on buying milk. I do not have a continuous source of income apart from the farming and small causal jobs that we do with my spouse. The amount of money that we get through this is for basic household items and food for the family. We were not in a position to save some money to purchase a cow. When I received the transfer I felt so happy and grateful since this was one of the opportunities to invest in the dairy cows. Currently, I have a dairy cow and I no longer stress about where to get the money to buy milk. My children get enough milk unlike before. I sell the surplus milk to earn an income to meet other household items. I am so grateful for the support because were it not GiveDirectly all this could have taken quite some time to achieve.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend KES 32,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I have always wished to own a dairy cow but it was not possible because I did not have enough money. I do small-scale farming and casual jobs in the village. For the rest of the money, I bought food, household items, and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has given us hope and opened a new chapter in our lives.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are made of an extended family due to the polygamous nature of our grandparents and our parents. As such we are many and the land we have is small in size, we only got a small space to put up the houses. It is against this background that we cannot engage in any meaningful agricultural economic activities. We are also experiencing a lot of squabbles because of scrambling for the little resources, at times chickens trespass to our neighbor's garden and feed on vegetables because we are so close, this has many times invited the wrath of our neighbors.We simply tolerate each other, it has bred animosity amongst ourselves and I feel bad about it. Receiving this money, therefore, will boost us a great deal, we intend to buy a 0.4-acre piece of land for KES 90000. We are so excited about the idea as we will have the peace we need and live in harmony.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am expectant at the moment and on the verge of delivering a baby. It gives me happiness since children are blessings. It was a challenge conceiving my second born and when it finally happened I was overjoyed. I am looking forward to delivering in the next 2 months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a major issue that we face. We do not have the land to engage in maize farming or keep a dairy cow so we have no
option but to buy the food which at times is unaffordable. A 2kg of maize retails at KES 100 which is expensive to us given that we depend on casual jobs which are scarce. Many times we have faced uncertainties and the fear of facing another day knowing that there is no food to put on the table. It is so stressful and disturbing when the child cries for food that I cannot provide.
