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 ($465 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?
Since I received my first transfer, a lot has improved in my household. After taking a motorcycle on loan which I service monthly, I have no new goal since I am focusing much on the projects which I started with my first and second transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did great since the first day they came to my village.Also we appreciate the polite officers who came to enlighten us about the company and made us understand the objective of the project and why they chose our village. I do not have any negative view of Givedirectly
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, I planned on commencing a house in which I had only purchased iron sheets with my first transfer. I spent Kshs.21,200 in buying timber and also paid labor. Before I had a small house that was not spacious enough to accommodate my four family members. I am excited that the house is fully complete and we have already moved in. I also bought a heifer at a cost of Kshs.19,000 which is an addition to my livestock hence improving the production of milk in the future. I purchased furniture at a cost of Ksh.7,800 which has made my house look neat. With the remaining amount, I bought food and clothing for my household members.
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 9.30pm while taking tea after supper when I heard my phone vibrating. On checking, I confirmed to have received the eagerly awaited KES 55000. I and my wife were very excited and immediately started planning for it.
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 owning a heifer which I had desired for the past four years but couldn't afford.Household expenditure costs have also reduced since I received the transfers because I bought food in bulk which I couldn't afford before from my motorcycle taxi job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES19000 on a heifer because it will soon give birth and be a source of milk and income for my family. I normally rely on my parent's dairy cows for milk. I also spent KES18000 on Ironsheets in preparation to build my own house because I still live under my parents roof. I spent KES5000 on food and latest clothing fashion and KES2000 on repayment of a motorcycle loan which I normally pay on a monthly basis.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income to my family of 4. For the past three years, I have had the plan to own a dairy cow. Currently, I spend KES 100 per day in purchasing milk for my children to drink and home consumption. I depend on income that I get from Motorcycle taxi. On a good day, I earn around KES 800 and spend KES 500 from this to repay the loan I used in purchasing it hence no savings at the end of the day. Upon receiving this transfers, I will use KES 40,000 to purchase a dairy cow. This will reduce the cost of buying milk and also generate income for me in the near future. I project on getting 6 litres of milk when it calves and from this I can earn an average of KES 180 per day making my life and that of my family better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Within the past six months I bought my motorcycle on loan. I am happy that the little I get from this is able to sustain my family basic needs. Unlike before when I was employed on casual basis and at the end of the day the owner could take all the days income. At the same time working for someone had alot of restrictions on time that I could operate but as at now I can freely work upto late hours earning me more money.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am facing currently is financial constraints. I operate a motorcycle taxi business for a living whereby per day I earn KES 400 after deducting the loan I am servicing. This only meets family basic needs such as food, medication and clothing. It has been difficult to raise KES 40,000 in order to fulfil my desire of owning a dairy cow because I hardly save any amount for future use.
