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 ($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?
There are several home improvements I would love to accomplish in the near future. I have wanted to fence round my homestead for a while now, but financing the same has been a struggle. Aside from that, I we also need a 250 litre water tank and a shed for the cows. All these are at the top of my to-do list and I am hoping to get them done soonest possible.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly performs at the highest level when it comes to empowering people. They are transparent, timely and empathetic to the real world struggles that Kenyans of all walks of life battle with and provide tangible and free assistance and this is truly life changing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a one bedroom house out of corrugated iron sheets and bought one cow. The cow set me back Kes. 17, 000, though it will take a year to start producing milk. Milk will be selling for Kes. 40 per litre. This will serve as a good source of income to complement what we already have and cater for our 2 kids who are in Grade 5 and Grade 2. With expenses like their Kes. 300 per term and Kes. 200 per term, respectively, school fees, any extra income to assist with bills is always welcome.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
With my father and stepbrother in my house that morning, we were all excited when we all received alerts on our phones notifying us of the first transfer. We had been up with unending discussions on the same topic for the past few days, and seeing it confirmed was a great joy to us. I had already enlisted all that I wanted to do and could not wait further but withdrew the money the same day with the plan of visiting the immediate shopping center to buy some construction materials.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After a long dependence on my parents and sometimes buying milk from my neighbors, I am glad that I finally got a chance to purchase my cow that will serve us with enough milk and cut the cost I had been incurring in buying milk for my family. I am happy that I am part of this noble program that has not only enabled me to improve my standard of living but also has given me hope for a better future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the long to-do list that I have been making since I was enrolled, the day to implement was finally here with me, and had to try my best to beat the set targets in every section. First, I had to obtain a heifer at KES20000 and was glad that it was served by the Artificial Insemination specialist a week after I purchased it. I had been buying milk for quite a long time and even though I am still buying, the hope of soon producing from my cow has been revived. I also tilled my piece of land in readiness for the planting season and also obtained seeds at a total cost of KES2700. I also had a plan to construct a new house that will still be taking a little longer before completion since I needed to first assemble all the materials among them are the 12 iron sheets, nails, and some frames at KES10000. Currently, I am looking forward to demolishing an old kitchen, converting the initial bigger house to a kitchen, and later constructing a bigger one once I purchase more iron sheets to make a total of 25. To make this possible, I need to still hold on as I bring in other materials so that I can initiate the construction using part of the second transfer. With the remaining amount, I obtained a sack of maize at KES4000 and clothing for the other two members of my household.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better housing for me. For over 10 years, My wish was to build an iron roofed house which is bigger and better. However, this has not been possible because I only depend on casual jobs that earns me KES 200 a day, and trying to accumulate the amount is very hard since I have other basic needs like food and clothing. I intend to use the cash transfer to build a better house that will cost KES 40,000. I will then use the remaining transfer to buy a Dairy cow Worth KES 30,000 and the remaining amount I will pay school fee's for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is the time i get to rest after tiresome day in the farm or doing any other task I get from the village.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school fees for my children has been the biggest challenge to me. I have two sons who are both in school, one in form one and the other in std 3. Most of the time my kids are out of school because of unpaid fees. This has been very hard since a time's they really ask a lot of questions I can not answer as a parent and they feel left of when others go to school.