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 ($515 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 from how it was because as a family, we have our own asset. We bought a dairy cow using the transfer and today, we have started getting income through selling milk. The planting season was also good this time because we had the money to buy farm inputs and hire labor.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What I love about GiveDirectly is that they give out Unconditional cash transfer which has enabled us to buy what we want according to our plans.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on adding some building materials which were remaining and eventually built a house. Today I live in a better house which is spacious. Besides that, I also paid for tractor services and bought maize hybrid seeds. Having a good plan for the planting season made me prepare my farm on time. I am just waiting for a good harvest.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Before I received my transfers, I had never practiced timely cultivation as I did previously. This is because it usually took us a long time before we could get enough money to use in farm preparation and to buy farm inputs. Being able to do so previously is an assurance that I will have a good harvest this year that will last us till the next harvesting season. Owning a dairy cow will also enable me to stop buying milk very soon as it is almost calving. This will help me reduce my daily expenditure hence I can be able to save some money daily. Also, we will have enough milk for our consumption and sales so that I can earn an income that I will use in paying for my children's education.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was going through my contacts looking for my friend's number as I wanted to call her when I received a message alert. Upon reading its contents, I became so happy and immediately informed my family about the message that I had just received. They were all equally happy as we all knew that our lives would never remain the same again.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I bought a dairy cow worth KES 24000 after receiving my first transfer. We settled on this as a family since we have been buying milk daily and it is always costly. I am now glad since I know that very soon, I will not be buying them anymore. Also, I spent some amount on farming. I bought some hybrid maize and vegetable seeds and hired a tractor for farm preparation purposes. Since I have always desired to build a spacious house for my family, I bought some timber. I will use my second transfer to buy the remaining materials and to start the construction work. I used the remaining amount to buy some household necessities for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It's one year now since I started a family and settling has taken a lot of time.Now that I am settled I need to expand my farming activities.Livestock farming seems a good venture for me.The money that I will receive will make me start off by buying one dairy cow which will cost me approximately Ksh 35,000.The milk will not only save me the cost of buying milk for consumption but also earn me some money through sale of the milk.I will also expand my poultry unit.I have only six chicken and my target is adding that number to 40.This means that I also have to do construction of the structures required.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After doing the house chores in the early morning hours I head to my farm till 1pm.I enjoy working in my farm making it the happiest moment for me.This is because I depend on my farm to feed the family.Thats my source of joy since it translates to a happy family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am in a new stage in life which is marriage( 1 year now) and this has been a big hardship for me.This is mainly because we live in a communal land as an extended family and there is a lot of gossip and hatred from my in laws and the extended family at large.Whenever I succeed in something they always try to bring me down. My wish is to start a business that will keep me busy instead of spending most of the time around the village.
