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?
After an appropriate spending of the first and the second transfer on the impressive projects that are currently running, I still have other new goals that I feel should initiate once I raise enough savings. At the moment, I am looking forward to venturing into the business world through the purchase and rearing of chicken for eggs and meat production to the immediate community, and also opening up a retail shop that will serve the immediate needs of my neighbors. These two will keep my family finances growing as I will be making savings from the daily profits that I will be getting from both sides.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am thankful to GiveDirectly for the great support that I received which enabled me to make a lot of transformations in my household. Initially, I was dependent on casual labor that would not raise any tangible amount to make such huge investments that the transfers did. In my opinion, GiveDirectly is doing well, and I cannot complain since all that was promised came to pass.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20000 out of the second transfer on purchasing five mature sheep that I am currently rearing. This is a long-term investment that I expect to grow and multiply as I look forward to selling out the offspring in the future to support my family of three I also bought foodstuff worth KES 6000 that we are still using at the moment, spent KES 5000 on clothing for my children, wife and also mine, Obtained a new set of furniture that included two tables at KES 4800 and three chairs at KES 9900. I am happy that my house looks better than before after replacing the old furniture with new ones that are more comfortable as well. I also managed to bring in some kitchenwares that we were missing at KES 3000 and saved the remaining amount.
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?
On receiving the money after a long wait, I was very happy. It was around 11:00 pm and lucky enough, I was not asleep yet. On checking it up, I was very excited and notified my wife who was already asleep. We had all plans set and after two days I had to collect some of the money from the nearby shopping center as I needed to make some purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the construction of a new house that is currently ongoing. After living in a single hut with my family of four for a long time, I am glad that this transfer allowed me to finally transform my household. We are soon getting a spacious house that can accommodate all the household members and also visitors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even though I had been enjoying a plentiful supply of milk from my parents' farm, buying a cow from the first transfer was a priority. I had been dependent on my parents for such a long time and seeing a heifer that I bought at KES 20000 warms my heart. I am grateful that I will be able to get enough milk soon; not only for our household use but also for sale. I also spent KES 18000 on purchasing additional iron sheets, building poles, and also nails for the construction of a new house. I purchased enough foodstuff worth KES 6000 for my family of four and attired my two children, my wife, and also bought myself a pair of apparel with the remaining KES 8000. I am glad that with the first transfer, I had been able to do a lot and expect that I will even do more with the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved housing and food security in my family. I have one small house and sometimes it gets smoky and uncomfortable to stay in while cooking. So when I get this money I will spend KES 30000 of it to construct a more spacious iron-roofed house. I would also like to buy a dairy cow. I depend on my mother who gives 1 cup of milk per day. This milk we only use to make tea then buy one litre for my child to drink. A litre of it I buy at KES 45 per day. This is costly as I depend on quarrying to get money. Quarrying is not consistent and sometimes I do the loading of tractors carrying sand. I am paid KES 50 per tractor and if lucky I load up to three tractors in a day. My earning is insufficient to meet all my household needs. So I will also buy a dairy cow costing KES 30000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago I sold three trailers of sand at KES 7000. With this money, I bought a goat that is yet to deliver. This brought joy and happiness as I see it as my source of income in the future
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints and food insecurity. Where we live is very rock and crop farming is not possible. We depend mostly on food vendors and getting money too for purchasing food is also a challenge as I depend on quarrying which is not sustainable.
