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
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years, I hope to boost my livestock rearing so that it may be more sustainable. I am planning to purchase more goats when I got money. My long-term goal is to sell them when they multiply to purchase a plot of land at the nearby market centre where I would construct some rental shops.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in choosing our village as one of the areas to offer assistance. By enrolling on the program I am so grateful that the cash transfer has impacted our life positively. I urge the organization to continue to support the less fortunate in our area with the cash aid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $160 of the most recent to purchase one local dairy cow. This is a long-term investment and a steady supply of milk for the family. Additionally, when it reproduces I will be able to sell its offspring to support myself financially. Similarly, I bought two goats for $74. Also, I bought a modern bed and mattress for $103 for myself. Earlier, I was sleeping on a small traditional bed which was not enough for me and my grandchildren. They had to spend their nights on the floor which is very risky since there are red ants. I used the remaining amount to purchase sufficient food since we are experiencing famine in our area coupled with the high cost of living due to climate change.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 5:30 PM when I was on my way from the farm when I heard a very loud vibration from my mobile phone. I quickly decided to check who had sent the message at such a particular time since it was quite unusual. I was felt so happy after realizing that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly.This was like a dream to me and I could wait to reach home so that I could share this great news with my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a dairy cow that I acquired using the first cash transfer. I have desired to own it for so many years but I couldn't afford it because they are relatively expensive. I have been experiencing lots of troubles for the last twenty years when I returned to my maternal home after divorcing my spouse. I used to depend on the charcoal business which could not sustain all my needs. Therefore after receiving the cash I had to think of a long-term investment that will help me achieve my goals. Having the cow has therefore a very big impact on my life. In the next two months, I will start selling milk to my friends and neighbours hence generating income. I believe that this business will uplift my living standard since milk is in high demand in my region. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for this gift in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 16000 of my first cash transfer on buying a dairy cow. For so many years, I have been dreaming of owning one but because of the financial hardships that I was experiencing, I could not afford it. Also, I bought a mattress and two bedsheets for a total of KES 4200. These were to replace the old beddings that had worn out. Additionally, utensils, furniture, and all the necessary household items that I was lacking. With the remaining amount of money, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am an aged woman living alone in my house. I separated from my husband 11 years ago because of unavoidable situations . I depend on charcoal burning business to earn a living. I have one indegenous cow which gives me 5 litres of milk every day. I sell the milk at KES 250 every day. I have discovered the importance of keeping livestock and I have a dream of buying more cattle in order to increase my investments. I need two oxen for ploughing my land and 4 cows so that I can get more milk. I thought of buying jersey cows but are too expensive to maintain because there is no enough folder to feed them while the indegenous cattle do best in our areas because they are drought resistant as compared to other cattle breeds.
Receiving the first transfer will enable me to buy 6 cattle and will use the remain part of the transfers to buy galla goats to keep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My cow gave birth to a she calf last month and I am getting more than 5 litres of milk a day. This brought joy and happiness to me because I am selling milk and getting my daily needs from the money I get. I believe if the calf grows up, it will also multiply in number and make me a wealthy woman.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on charcoal business which is a straneous work and my body is growing old (49 years old) for heavy jobs.This made me to buy a cow to keep. Getting drinking water needs to walk for a distance of 1 kilometer away from my compound. I spend alot of my time looking for hay and folder for my cow. My cow produces 5 litres of milk every day. It depends on the amount of food given to the cow and therefore getting more hay and folder to feed my cow is the challenge I am currently facing.
