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 ($526 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been yearning to buy a good cow which can help me feed my family. Before I use to have a cow which when it lactates I would hardly get a litre of milk. I can see now that will be something of the past having two high breed cow which will give a high yield. Now I got to sell the milk and earn money which I spend to buy a basic need for my family and I also got some milk for consumption. Now my children have grown healthier as we can afford to buy and eat a balanced diet meal. I believe were it not for GiveDirectly to come to our village we would still couldn't afford such a life that we live at the moment.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opnion, GD did so well by giving money to every household as this has reduced cases of theft which would have resulted due to the food shortage in our locality which resulted due poor harvest last season. People got to spend the money on buying food are now having sufficient food for their families. Again, business is now booming in the area as people buying eggs and milk from the village and selling at a nearby town centre. this has created job opportunity to many in the village and has seen the economy of the area grow.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
The recent transfer which I received, I spent part of it to buy one high breed dairy cow. I have been yearning to buy a good cow which can help me feed my family. I also spent part of the money to buy materials for constructing a poultry house. I then spent part of it to build a poultry house and buy some chicken for rearing. I also bought some maize in bulk which would sustain us for some months till the next harvest season. I spared some amount to pay a debt and save some amount for future use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I was able to acquire a dairy cow using my transfers something I have never owned before and this is so far the biggest difference I have experienced in my life. Because of this, my children's health has now started improving since they now get enough milk which they lacked before. I have also started saving some money from the sale of milk from my cow. In addition, the amount of money I spend in a day buying our basic needs has reduced since I no longer buy milk thus increasing my savings. Seeing my children happy and in good health always thrills my heart.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 am in the morning as I was preparing breakfast for my family when I received a message. Upon reading its content, I went directly to my Mpesa menu on my phone and checked my balance so that I could be sure that the message I had received was real. After confirming, my heart was filled with happiness and I started singing happily. I then informed my spouse and we all thanked God for the blessings He had showered unto us and asked Him to continue blessing GD so that they can continue helping other people.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Buying milk has always been my daily routine. This is costly and at times, my family is forced to stay without taking breakfast when I do not have money. When I received my first transfers, I spared some amount and used it to buy a dairy cow. With this cow, I will be able to get some money through the sale of milk and also save the money I would have otherwise used in buying milk to use in buying other necessities. It has always been my dream to start a poultry project. For this reason, I used the remaining amount in building a chicken pen and in buying some chicken. With this project, I will be able to sell some eggs or the chicken and use the money to buy some of the household necessities whenever I have an emergency.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest ambition has been to start a business(maize milling busimess). Now, receiving this money means that I'll be able to buy a maize milling machine.The dryness in my area has led to a decline in maize production.I will also use part of this money to stock maize(from maize producing areas of north rift) for sale.This will enable me have a steady flow of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After taking breakfast, my usual day entails going to graze my cattle until noon where I come back and prepare lunch for my family. Later on, I visit my small sweet potato farm and try to do some weeding. In the evening, I come back home with some foodstuff(mainly sweet potatoes) from the farm to be cooked for supper.This is the time I feel excited for I know my goals of providing supper for my household have been accomplished.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
For the past five years, I have been cultivating maize on a hired piece of land and the production has been very low because of insufficient rainfall,planting of poor quality seeds,pests and diseases.This has actually made things worse for me, my household has never had enough for consumption during this period.My household has been forced to skip meals year in year out owing to this.The reality that my household at times is forced to skip meals continues to worry me.
