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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($443 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am happy and contented with what I have achieved so far, therefore at the moment, I don't have a new goal. Because of financial constraints. But I plan to manage well the little that I have achieved.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
God remembered us in a very special way. This is because in all the localities in the country, GiveDirectly still chose our county thus we are indeed grateful for the gesture. We were all empowered financially and equally regardless of our socio-economic status. So far throughout my interaction with the GiveDirectly staff from the census stage to the last stage, I have not witnessed any malpractices.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I do any available casual jobs in the village to make ends meet, I am unlucky because I am not educated therefore I depend on the little I earn to earn a livelihood. Though the little I earn is barely enough for my family which comprises three children and their mother. I, therefore, chose to purchase a dairy cow worth KES36,000 to cut down on the cost of buying milk. I then used KES 6000 on starting a poultry project which I am optimistic would be a big boost to our income. Lastly, I used the remaining amount on foodstuffs and clothes. I am so grateful for the financial aid that brought so much happiness to our home.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to midnight while asleep when I heard an SMS alert notification on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I and my wife were very excited and hardly slept for the better part of the night and withdrew the money the next day at around 10am.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is happiness because I now own a dairy cow which I couldn't afford because I relied on casual labor. With the transfers, I have ventured into poultry keeping which will an additional income source because they multiply fast.There is also no more hunger in my house since I received GiveDirectly transfers because I bought food in bulk which I couldn't afford before and were forced to sleep on beverages only most of the time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES38000 on a dairy cow as a source of milk and income for my family. Initially, I used to buy two liters of milk per day which was quite costly and have been buying it for the last seven years. I also spent KES 5000 on payment for my kids in primary school, KES 7000 on 15 chicken layers because they thrive and multiply fast and will be a source of food and income for my family. KES7000 was spent on building a poultry house for my chicken and KES 10000 on three sacks of maize.I also spent KES 4000 on clothing for my family. I normally rely on masonry work in order to feed my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a casual employee with three children in primary school. My daily work involves weeding, planting, fencing, and splitting wood. This has been as a source of income to my family for the our 8 years of marriage.With this work I earn at most KES 400 a day and this is not sufficient to cater all the needs of my family. Receiving this money means my dream of being a dairy farmer will be realized.I will use KES 35000 to buy a dairy cow this is because dairy farming is currently more profitable as compared to crop farming.Milk production will enhance food security as well as financial stability to my household.I predict that I shall be able to sell at least 5 litre of milk a day and this will earn me KES 4000 a month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the inadequate food and nutrition in my family.My family members have had a good health since the beginning of this year.None of them has been to the hospital nor have taken any medication and this has given me happiness in the past 6/months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest challenge am currently facing. Working as a casual employee is hectic and unpredictable.There are several occasions when I fail to secure a job in this community and this necessitates walking to a neighboring community in search of any job .With this ,I fall into a trap of exploitation through lower pay due to dire need of money.There are times I get a payment of KES 100 and this is so humiliating and stressful because subdividing this amount among the family needs is nearly impossible.When I fail to secure a job my wife has to go round the village borrowing some items such as flour , sugar and this embarrassed me a lot.This joblessness has subjected my family to food insecurity .
