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 ($450 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?
Since my children are almost done with school, I will make sure to pay their fees on time and then venture into farming there after once they are done. My plan is to go back to maize farming and make that our second source of income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving us transfers in half other than all at once was a good plan, a lot of us would have done so little if it was given in lump sum because we are not familiar with having a lot of money at once.
I have personally learnt financial responsibility and management though this because I felt accountable for every coin.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my second transfer, I bought one cow with its calf and I have been able to get about 10 litres of milk every day, this is enough money at least to feed a family of six and settle other basic needs at home.
With about ksh 10000 remaining, I bought food and saved ksh 5000 for emergency purposes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am an early riser and that morning, I had left my phone in the house and went to the farm to prepare livestock feeds. At around 6 am while on the farm that's when I heard neighbors saying they had received their transfers.When I finished my work I went to check my phone and confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and withdrew the money three days later.
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 the purchase of a high-quality dairy cow. This means increased milk production hence increased daily income for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a dairy farmer and a father of six. Initially, I used to rely on small-scale agribusiness farming of tomatoes and onions for food. But since I bought a dairy cow I decided to venture totally into dairy farming. Currently, I have two dairy cows which have been the main source of income for food and school fees payment.
When my cows are in their high season I get up to 20 liters a day of which I sell 11 liters a day at KES 35 and the rest is for household consumption.
So when I received my transfers I bought my third high-quality dairy cow at KES 45,000. This now produces 5 liters of which I sell 3 liters a day at 35. I am passionate about dairy farming because this is where I get income for food, school fees, and farm inputs.
In addition, I spent KES 8,600 on payment of school fees arrears for my son in college. Initially, I sold some calves for school fees.
Further, I spent KES 2,000 on extending my tiny 12 Iron roofed house into a 16 Iron roofed house. As result, my house is now large enough to accommodate visitors.
The rest I used on food and clothing for my family. This has helped reduce household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always depended on dairy farming to support my family of 7. For the past 5 years, I have desired to add a cow to the existing 2 dairy cattle but unfortunately, insufficient finances have impeded the progress. Even though I earn KES 210 from the sale of milk every day, I spend KES 100 per child per month to pay fees for my 4 children in school. It will be a sigh of relief when I receive these transfers as I intend to use KES 45000 to purchase a lactating cow that will be a source of income for my family. I will be able to sell the milk and use some for the household hence I will be excited that my family will be financially stable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I first heard of Give directly in 2016 at Bomet East sub-county, I admired their model of operation and I wished that they will visit my village at some time. Today, when I saw a Givedirectly staff approach my household, tears of joy rolled down my eyes as I saw a financial breakthrough in my life. I thank Givedirectly for bringing change to society.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Money is the root cause and solver of each problem. We should agree that for one to progress, he/she should have a stable source of income. It saddens me that this is not my case. My family of 7 depends on the 7 liters of milk produced by my 2 dairy cows. I use KES 210 daily from the proceeds of the sale of surplus milk to cater for basic needs such as education and food. It pains me that I have to work on a tight budget and hence have almost nothing to save for emergencies.
