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 ($462 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?
Yes, like now I am planning to rent land for maize planting. Because I only have a quarter an acre of land which is only for dairy keeping. This will ensure food adequacy during the next harvest season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to change our living standards. For example, in my village through the transfers, grass-roofed houses have been transformed into Iron roofed. Secondly, before GiveDirectly, I was stressed due to a lot of needs but there was a lack of finances to meet them. But after the transfers, I am at peace because most of the family's basic needs are met and now I have good plans for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly, I had been buying milk two cups of milk each day for about two years. This was from the income of KES 100 or more a day from the casual labor we did with my husband.
So when I received my second transfer I thought it wise to buy two heifers for KES 18, 000 each. This is because once they reproduce they will increase milk production hence increasing monthly income for my family.
Additionally, I utilized KES 14,000 on payment of last term's school fees arrears for my son and daughter in high school. Usually, my husband pays the fees from his herdsboy salary of KES 2,500 monthly. But this time around, I am grateful because GiveDirectly has eased that burden.
The remainder I spent on half a sack of maize at KES 1600 and KES 2,000 on household expenses. This is because earlier as a mother of four, I couldn't afford to buy two kilos of maize meal a day. In extreme cases when there was no casual labor, we would borrow to eat.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11pm while asleep when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I and my family were excited and could hardly sleep that night.
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 dairy cow which I had desired for the past four years but couldn't afford. Through the transfers I was able to buy food in bulk for my my family which has helped to stabilize my thoughts because I was stressed before most of the time.This is because I relied mostly on my husband who does casual labor and earns KES2000 in a month which couldn't cater for the family's basic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES37000 on a dairy cow in order to feed my family through milk production.This is because I used to buy from the neighborhood which was quite costly because I couldn't afford most of the time. I spent KES8000 on two sacks of maize, KES 8000 on payment of my daughter's school fees and the rest on food and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better shelter for my household. My family consists of 6 members 2 daughters,2 sons,and us. The current house is too small for all of us to live in. Both my elder daughter and son live with their grandmother in another village because of insufficient space to sleep in in this house. As a mother, I feel insecure with my children's behavior and character because am unable to mentor and monitor them as they grow up. With this amount, we will use KES 35000 to construct a new house. This house will accommodate all of us, therefore, strengthening our bond and unity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The good health of my family members and the performance of my children at school has given me joy in the past 6 months.None of my family members has been hospitalized this year like the past year.Moreover, I have not been summoned to school concerning the performance of my children.This gives me great joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Limited capital and unstable job are the greatest challenges am facing .I work as a shepherd in the neighborhood where I earn KES 3000 a month.This amount is limited as compared to the several needs of my family.In my family of 6, we spend approximately KES 250 a day to buy milk , maize flour and other household items.There are occasions when I do not get work and therefore my family has to suffer from hunger or eat one meal a day.