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 ($467 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?
We're still a young family and I know that there will be a time when family responsibilities will overwhelm us. I have a passion for poultry-keeping because it is easier to manage and one can easily convert to cash. I have already started this project and I aim to expand it to a point where I will have more than 100 egg-laying chickens and I currently have 24. At this point, I will start selling the chicks when they're two months old and use part of the money to support my spouse in paying for our bills while I save the other amount.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid to people without any discrimination. Also, they gave us very meaningful information on how we can spend the transfer to transform our lives during enrollment stages, and because of this, our lives have changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My spouse works at the NYS and has been paying for a piece of land that we recently purchased by giving out some amount monthly. When I received my second, I spent KES 45000 to clear the balance so that we would become the real owners and start farming it. I spent the remaining KES 7700 on foodstuffs and other household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9 am. I had taken my cows for grazing. When I came back to check my phone I could not believe my eyes. There was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to plough my farm ready for planting. I immediately inform my family members and they were so happy. I went to withdrew the money and plan on how to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have started a poultry keeping project. This project will enable me to earn an income by selling the eggs at the market. I had always wished to start this amazing project but I didn't had the money. I depend on casual jobs in the village and small scale farming. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and was only for household basic needs. The rest I could pay school fees for my children in various school. I didn't had any other source of income. Currently I have 30 chicks and I am taking good care of them. I know soon I will be able to get eggs when the starts to lay eggs. This will be my additional source of income. I will save the money to pay school fees for my children. I will also be able to buy seeds and plough my farm on time. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to purchase 30 chicks. This is an investment that I have always wanted to expand. I will be able to see eggs when they start to lay. I will used the money to meet other household items . I plough my farm and planted beans. The rest of the money I saved KES 30,000. I will combine with the second transfer to build a better house for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Over the past years, my passion for farming has grown. I have always desired to venture into dairy farming for commercial purposes but sadly, because of financial constraints I haven't. Actually, I have none to milk at the moment. When I receive this transfers , I will use KES 30000 to purchase a dairy cow for income generation. Besides, I will use the rest of the transfers to expand my chicken rearing business for the income I earn (KES 2000 monthly and seasonal) from the selling of the vegetables (black nightshade) isn't adequate to support food and clothing for my family of 5.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children school in the neighborhood. When they leave each morning, I am left alone at home. I take the better part of my day to attend to the farm. I cultivate vegetables ( black night shade ) as well as rear chicken for egg production. I am happy in the afternoon for I have customers to purchase my farm produce ( vegetables, eggs and chicken) and therefore have some income to purchase food for my household.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am as subsistence farmer who currently cultivate vegetables ( black night shade ) and maize for a living. Woefully, my area has been experiencing prolonged periods of drought and this has brought about disease and pests on my crops. I have regretfully run into losses for I have invested much on the farm but rather harvest less.The produce isn't sufficient to feed my family of 5 and this has been my biggest hardship.
