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 2 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 doing any available casual work around the neighborhood at times while also practicing subsistence farming. Due to my age, it is my wish to start a business of buying and selling maize in our neighboring markets or even a grocery business. With this, I will not be engaging in tedious activities that are tiresome while still being able to provide for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
My life has not been the same ever since I received my transfer. This is because I no longer buy milk daily like I used to. I am happy that I am not alone testifying about a transformation in my life since people in my village have also experienced a change in their lives. With this, I can and will always say that GiveDirectly did well in transforming our lives for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I spent KES 45000 to purchase a dairy cow, spent KES 3000 on farming, and KES 4700 on food for the family. Buying a dairy cow was my priority since buying milk had been my norm and my family at times have to have porridge or tea without milk when I did not have money. As a subsistence farmer, I sometimes plant spring onions, sell and use the money to meet our basic needs and I mostly ran short of money and I would end up living on debts. I am happy that at the moment, I get to spend money from the sale of milk to meet some of our basic needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home that morning when I received a message on my phone. On passing it on to my daughter who is my helper as well, she confirmed that it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. At first, I thought it was just a joke since I wasn't expecting it that morning, but after she showed me the message, I could read the figures. I was so excited, thanked God that I was finally bringing back the trust I had lost with the neighbors who had lent me some money since I wanted to clear them all alongside other new projects I wanted to start with my household members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After receiving the transfer, I had been able to do a lot. Currently, I can see an added cow on my field that keeps my hopes high since I am looking forward to better days ahead. Settling the debts though has been the biggest difference in my daily life as I had been stressing up a lot as the owners have been following up on me so much. I needed to clear this to allow me to carry out other projects without them feeling that I am ignoring their demands. I am grateful that this was possible and at peace with everyone now as we concentrate with the family on other projects.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the first KES40000 of my first transfer, I obtained a good breed of a cow to add to the one I had been having. It has been my hope to one day increase the milk production from my livestock but since I had only one lactating cow, it has not been possible since the milk it has been producing was just enough to serve the household usage. With the second breed that I have brought in, I am looking forward to an additional production of milk that I can sell to earn an extra income. I also managed to offset the debts I had been struggling with over a long time. Receiving this money came to my rescue as the creditors had been pressing hard to a point of even issuing threats to auction some of my assets. I managed to settle a total debt of KES 8000, bought a knapsack pump worth KES 2000, and used the remaining on obtaining household foodstuff.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition is to be a dairy farmer who can produce enough milk that can sustain my family and community at large.I currently own one dairy cow which produces 4 litres of milk per day and I sell 3 litres per day for Ksh 90.I want to buy a good breed of freshian dairy cows at ksh 45,000 each. This will produce approximately 10 litres of milk in total per day which would mean an increase in my daily sales and income from Ksh 90 per day to Ksh 300 and it will enable me to buy enough food and school items for my 4 grandchildren that am taking care of. I will then purchase a 3,000 litres tank worth Ksh 30,000 for harvesting enough water to use when there is drought.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am taking dinner with my grandchildren. They make me happy when they tell me stories of how their day and school was.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is financial constraints. With my age I cannot do hard jobs so I only depend on my one cow for milk to sell which earns me a total of Ksh 2700 per month. This is not enough to sustain my family needs such as food and clothing and other emergencies as hospital fee when it arises.
