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 ($432 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Recently I bought an acre piece of land on credit that I am looking forward to repay by mid next year. Accomplishing this means that I will be able to do farming on the same piece of land and thus get food and cows feed at the same time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is ensuring that we get our transfers in time and doing follow ups to check on us and remind us on the transfers security. This has safeguarded our transfers against fraudstars.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Previously, I was living in a single grass thatched room with my three children. Being a single mother and the sole provider has not been an easy task as I do not earn much working as casual in the nearby farms. l ways wanted to own dairy cows as a boost of my income but I have never managed to raise enough capital to buy one. When I was enrolled in the program, I was very happy because I knew that I was going to achieve two of my greatest goals. I spend $220 to roof a muddy two bedroom house that I had build and the balance to buy two dairy calves. I am grateful that I have a better bigger house and I will be able to sell milk and earn income in the near future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt good and happy when I saw a message pop-up on my phone at around 5:00 PM that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I could not doubt the source since everyone around me and at least 10 colleagues had received the same message. I could not withdraw immediately but had to inform my family members later at home - who were equally happy. I proceeded to the nearby shopping center the next morning where I withdrew and started spending according to the plans we had set as a household.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the constant supply of milk from the dairy cow that I bought for my family of five. I am impressed that it solve a great problem that I had been struggling with as it would butt in my business and sometimes force me to pull other assets into it. I am grateful for this timely support and still looking forward to another transforming second transfer that I am expecting to receive in the coming month.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even though I had been running a milk-buying-and-selling business, providing at least a liter every morning for my family would strain my running capital so much that I would sometimes sell out some assets to top it up. At the receipt of the first transfer, we made it a priority to obtain a dairy cow at KES 22000 that has been providing enough milk for my family of five. I am glad now that my family enjoys enough milk, and my business is doing quite well since I am no longer chopping off any amount from it. I also spent KES 23000 of the remaining amount on buying 20 iron sheets and building poles that I am looking forward to using in the construction that is yet to start in the coming week. We had been living in a small kitchen that was getting smaller for my growing family, but now I am happy that a new construction project of a better house is up. I saved the remaining amount to pay any labor charge that will arise during the construction period.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean an increase in self-esteem. We are living in a small grass-thatched hut that has become old and when it rain, the roofing makes a royal leak. Whenever I receive visitors, I host them in my mother-in-law's house which I feel is inappropriate. This habit has even lowered my self-esteem and our house is too small to even accommodate my family of 5. My husband works as a security guard in the city earning a meager salary of KES 20,000. That amount of money is not enough to save and cater to other household basic needs. My ambition has been to build a better house and increase my self-esteem. We intend to spend approximately KES 30,000 of the first transfer to build a better one. I couldn't hide my joy when I heard that you were coming to our village because I know soon we will be able to build a better house. My self-esteem will also increase in that I will be able to host visitors in our house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Nothing brings joy and happiness in our lives other than having Give Directly in our village. You have been our hope because we have seen the impact you have brought in other villages which they have benefitted from you. We know that soon our problems will lessen and live an improved life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity has been the biggest challenge we are currently facing. We have 0.2 acres of land in total and there is no land for cultivation. For me to put food on the table, I usually buy and sell milk in the village earning an estimated profit of KES 150 a day. I use the whole cash to buy food for the family and pray that I get milk to sell the following day and also pray that I don't become sick to fend for my family. My husband's income of KES 20,000 is spent on his house rent, food, and paying school fees for our 3 school-going children. I feel sad that the good days are over and all that’s left are the blighted days ahead, on scorched earth where nothing but hopelessness grows.
