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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After spending all the first and the second transfer as I had planned with other family members, I have a new goal of buying an additional piece of land for the livestock that I bought. The small piece of land that I have at the moment is so small that it can not be subdivided to accommodate crop and livestock farming at the same time. I am glad that the dairy cow has just given birth and the outcome I have been earning from the milk is making part of my savings towards the piece of land.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving people money and allowing them to decide on what best they can spend on was the best decision by GiveDirectly in my opinion. Many in our village had been struggling a lot, begging from the neighborhood, and even toiling in other people's farms to earn a living that seemed so unfair to them with the inconsiderable payment they were getting. The cash transfer sets everyone free and at the moment, everyone has a home and lives a better life compared to how it was before. I never saw anything that I would have wished to be done better but I am grateful and feeling lucky to have been part of this project.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The second transfer came in when I had just bought a dairy cow that I realized that it needed more space to grow some Nappier grass as well as other food crops. I used all the second transfer amount together with the savings that we had to purchase a piece of land. The total amount needed was KES 85000 and the money I had received then came in handy. Even though the small piece that I added is not spacious enough, I am glad that the cow has a space to graze and I provide extra feeds that I had been buying. I am still working hard to buy an additional piece that will make grazing, feeding, and also farming easier.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my neighbor's house where we had met to plan a funeral of his son who had drowned in the river when someone shouted that GiveDirectly had sent the promised cash to him. On checking my phone, I realized that I had also received mine and my heart was filled with happiness instantly as I knew that I would be able to achieve all my plans. I then called and informed my spouse who was equally overjoyed on hearing that we would finally achieve our goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had started plastering my house but left it halfway after doing the floors due to insufficient funds. Currently, I am almost through with the outside walls as one side is remaining and I am so happy for this step that I have made. This has given my house a new presentable look that my neighbors have already started commenting on how beautiful my house is. I am grateful that I have achieved a lot of things within a very short period after receiving the transfer, and I am hoping to achieve more when I receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the only cow I had been having, I have always experienced dry seasons where I was forced to buy milk from my neighbors. This struggle had been pushing me to think about how best I can obtain another lactating cow and it had not been possible until recently when I received the transfers. I managed to obtain one at KES 30000 and am now feeling covered as I will be alternating their breeding schedule. Also, I spent KES 15000 to use in improving our house by cementing the walls to make it more permanent and durable. Using the remaining KES 10000, I bought two sets of seats at KES 7000 and used KES 3000 to pay school fees for my children to avoid them being sent back home. I am so happy for our current transformation in life and I am always praying that God continues to bless GiveDirectly so that they will continue with their good work.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream is to have a permanent house. We currently live in an unfinished house, with poor roofing and soiled floor. Our priority is to finish the house by using $100 for cement and have a cemented floor. Secondly we want our kids to have the best education and so $300 will be for their school fees. The remaining amount of money will be used to finish paying for a piece of land I had bought and for food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work two jobs to sustain my family. During the day I work as the school bus driver while at night I work as a security guard. I'm always exhausted but I have to do this to help my family. The happiest part of my day is mostly in the afternoon when I can rest for a bit before going back to my evening job.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced has been insufficient capital. I work as a school security guard and get paid $70 per month. My wife is a stay at home parent who sometimes sells chicken to generate extra income for the house. My earnings are not enough to sustain my family's needs such as better housing, school fees as well as clothing for my children.
