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 ($461 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?
Currently, I am living on a fifth of an acre that I have constructed a new house on and brought in a dairy cow that occupies almost the whole of the existing piece after receiving the transfers. At the moment, I am making plans to buy another piece of land as a new goal is certain to happen in the future. I am looking forward to doubling my efforts on farming, casual labor, and also in the small milk selling business, I had been doing to realize the dream. I am glad that I was able to address most of the challenges I had with both the transfers that I received and that the initiative to save is even easier now.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am great fuel for the generous support I received from GiveDirectly that enabled me to construct a new house, purchased livestock, and even bought a new piece of furniture. Giving us the freedom to spend our money on whatever we chose to spend was the best initiative by GiveDirectly. Everyone did what was best for their families and this left everyone happy and satisfied without any complaint.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After buying at least a liter of milk every day in the past four years, I was glad to receive the second transfer that facilitated the realization of my dream to buy a dairy cow. With KES 36000, I was able to secure a lactating dairy breed that satisfactorily provides enough milk every day for my family of three. I am grateful that the money I have been spending on buying milk can now be used in buying other household foodstuffs. I also furnished the newly constructed house with a new piece of furniture that included three chairs, a table, and a bed at a total of KES 15000. I had spent a larger part of the first transfer on the addition of a new house to supplement the smaller one that I had. I now have enough space that accommodates not only my family members but also visitors.
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 around 7a.m when I opened my phone and I realized I had a message. When I checked, it was a confirmation message bearing good news of cash transfer from Give directly. I was so excited and I immediately went and withdrew.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the acquisition of a dairy cow.Am happy that we can get adequate milk for consumption.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawal of my first cash transfer, I purchased a dairy cow worth Kshs.24,000.I had been working on one of my neighbor's farm so that he could give me a liter of milk per day and it wasn't enough for consumption. I am now happy that I own one and it is a relief since I no longer have to struggle a lot and now am focusing on doing other jobs so that I can cater for other household bills. I also bought iron sheets worth Kshs.24,000 in preparation to construct a new house. I am waiting for the second transfer so that I can commence the construction of the house. With the remaining amount, I spent in obtaining food and clothes for my household members.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I first built my house ten years ago when I was still in school, where I live to date, three years after I got married. The house is now very old such that it leaks during heavy rainfall. With this money, I plan to demolish this current house and build two separate houses. One will be the kitchen and the other bedroom and sitting room. The rest of the money I will invest in two dairy cows which not only earn me income through the sale of milk but also feed my family. Receiving this money, therefore, a lot of improvement in my general livelihood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I heard about Give Direct four months ago, I prayed and hoped that we will be among the people to be giving the money. Today when we were called for the community sensitization meeting, I left everything I was doing and hurried to the meeting. This is the happiest time of my life. I'm positive my life will change for the better henceforth. I can not be thankful enough to Give Direct.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest constraint. I have an old daughter, I can not do much because I have to stay back to do house chores. My husband operates a motorbike business but he does not have a motorbike of his own. At the end of each day, he has to pay the owner his share. On a good day, he makes KES 300 which goes to buying daily needs for our family including food. Sometimes he does not find a motorbike to hire meaning that day if he does find another casual job, we will go without food. It is very stressful, there is the single day we feel we have enough. It has been a life of hand to mouth, with endless suffering.
