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 ($423 USD)
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?
The best thing GiveDirectly gave us was the ability to choose how we would use our transfers. My community has been transformed and strengthened. In that the children are comfortably studying in their respective schools, people have built new houses, and many other good things have been done, I have not seen anything done poorly during my interactions with the GiveDirectly staff.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I see the need for me to have a steady source of income to secure the future of my children. As a result, my dream is to be able to start a goat-rearing project that will allow me to educate my children. I intend to accomplish this goal by saving the money I earn from the farm. All will be accomplished, I believe, with determination and discipline.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a subsistence farmer who is married and has two children. After receiving my initial transfer, I considered purchasing a dairy cow to reduce the cost of purchasing milk on a daily basis. As a result, I spent $310 on a healthier dairy cow. I was unable to purchase one previously due to financial constraints, as my source of income is not consistent. I then applied In addition, I used the remaining funds to finish my house, which had previously been left half-finished due to a lack of funds. I am relieved and grateful for the significant accomplishment I accomplished in such a short period of time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($460 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I usually sought casual jobs so that my family can have food on the table. Whenever I got none, life becomes so tough for the four of us. My daily earnings are those from hand to mouth. The moment I got my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I felt so happy and we praise God at that moment as a family. I saw my dream of having a good shelter for my family would come true. I was filled with joy as I had never gotten such an amount before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before, I couldn't imagine that I would build a better house for my family any time soon. I am glad that GiveDirectly made it possible for me to build a very decent house made of iron sheets roof. For sure I couldn't afford it as my earnings from casual jobs aren't enough to cater to my basic needs. We are now enjoying a more spacious house unlike that which we had which had a leaking roof and was so squeezed. That has brought the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money which I received from GiveDirectly enabled me to make a huge step in my life. I spent KES 20000 on buying a dairy cow for milk production. I have been rearing a cow that belongs to my relative but I am happy that I got my own as of now. Secondly, I spent KES 25000 on buying building materials for the construction of a new house. I am happy that the house is complete and we have moved in already. The remaining amount of KES 10000, I spent on buying foodstuffs for my family and a few clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I fully depend on subsistence farming where I plant sweet potatoes in my small piece of land I inherited from my father. The amount I earn from selling sweet potatoes is not sufficient enough to cater for all the family needs therefore this had resulted me not building a decent house. I have a small dilapidated house which serves as the cooking area and where we sleep with my wife and two children. When I receive money from GiveDirectly it means a decent two roomed house for the family, I intend to use all my first transfer to construct it. The house I am living in at the moment will act as the cooking area, this will enable us have peaceful sleep since smoke from the cooking area has been interfering with our sleep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was able to harvest high field of sweet potatoes from my farm one month ago, this has enabled me to sell them and purchase sufficient food stuff for the family to last us for the next 2months. This has brought so much you and happiness to the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge at the moment is buying food for the family, I have been thinking of buying a dairy cow that will cost KES 40,000 to provide milk for the family. I have been buying milk from our neighbors at KES 35 per litre, this is not enough and it is expensive for the family. Having small children, milk is vital because it is a good source of proteins.
