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 ($491 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have always longed to have a separate house for me and my kids since with the small house I had before, there was no privacy. I am grateful that through the transfer, I was able to build a big house that accommodates my family and relatives when they visit. This has brought respect to my family. I also own a dairy cow and I am optimistic that soon I will not be struggling to buy milk.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well by giving us aid without any discrimination. I was able to achieve a lot within a short period of time. I do not find anything that Givedirectly has not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 2600 of my second transfer on purchasing a dairy cow to bring to an end the daily high expenditure used on milk. I have three young kids thus I am forced to buy at least three liters of milk every day. I also bought three goats which is now a source of wealth in my family. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($515 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received my first transfers, I felt so happy as I had never gotten such a huge amount of money before. I couldn't wait any longer, I proceeded to mobile money agent and withdrew the money so that I would plan for it while at hand.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I believe that were it not for GiveDirectly, I couldn't acquire livestock which I have now because I couldn't afford them. I usually depend on sale of milk and menial income from casual jobs. This would be used on food and other necessities and left with none for investing.
As a farmer, I am so glad to see the livestock which means alot to me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We usually depend on farming and casual jobs for a living. When I got my first transfers, I spent KES 34000 on buying dairy cow. I then bought three goats at a cost of KES 12000. I majorly invested in livestock so that I would have more animals which can cushion me in times of financial need. I then bought 5 Ironsheets at a cost of KES 2500 these are for constructing a new house. The remaining amount, I spent on buying some maize for consumption.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a casual labourer at a near by farm. I earn 6,000 Kenya shillings every month which is meant to sustain my family's needs. Since I can only depend on that one source if income it has been a struggle to sustain all the basic needs. Receiving this money will mean a lot to me and my family, I will use it to buy livestock and build a kitchen. I believe having cows in my community gives me an upper hand in how people view my family but also because I can use the cows to get extra income. Since I use my sitting room as my kitchen area, the transfer will aid me in building a smaller kitchen separate from the main house. This is because when we cook the smoke fills the whole house and it becomes uncomfortable for the children to sleep in the house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Each day I wake up early by 6 in the morning to attend to my duties at the farm I work at. My normal day involves me working at the farm until evening when I get to rest. I am mostly happy during the day when I am working because I know my hard work will pay off once I get an income and provide for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face is not being able yo fully sustain my family's basic needs. I only earn 6,000 Kenya shillings monthly working on a farm as a casual Labourer. My income is not sufficient in not only providing our basic needs but also in saving. I have had a dream of wanting to build a bigger house because my family is growing, but at the moment it is not possible with what I earn.
