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 ($440 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have some idle piece of land, which I haven't tilled for a while for lack of funds. My goal is to ensure that I make use of this land by tilling and planting crops that we can consume and sell the rest. I also hope to improve my livestock business by injecting in more capital once I can.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What I love about the GiveDirectly's model is one which the aid comes in form of cash, not in kind like what many organisations does. Receiving cash gave us the freedom and flexibility of spending in the needs that we had. I also loved that the aid came straight into our mobile money accounts other than through third parties. That was a well done job GiveDirectly, we are grateful!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The second transfer coincidentally came in just when my son was joining secondary school. I therefore spent KSh. 25,000 of the transfers on school fees and other school necessities, which also included some fees for one who is in Form 3. I also invested KSh, 10,000 into my livestock business which had collapsed following inadequate capital. The proceeds from this business will help me meet the needs of my family of six. I used the rest of the transfers to pay off a debt I had and buy some food and household needs. I am so grateful for the support we got from GiveDiretly, which generally renewed hope for things we were already loosing hope for.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 am that Wednesday while weeding maize on my farm. That's when I heard my phone ring, on checking I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and immediately left for the nearest mobile money agent to withdraw the money because I was very broke.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is the purchase of a dairy cow. This now acts as an alternative milk source because my previous cow is now on its dry spell.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am the only son of a polygamous family of three wives with 25 acres of land. Due to this
vast land, I practice dairy farming which is majorly for school fees payment. I also do beans and sweet potato farming which is the main source of food for my family.
So when I received my transfer, I spent KES 40,000 on a dairy cow which is now producing 3 liters a day. This is s addition to the one I had which is now in its dry spell. This will help with school fees payment and clothing once schools reopen.
Further, I spent KES 4,500 on a bag of maize. Of which the remainder will sustain my family for the next three weeks.
In addition, I spent KES 3,500 on school uniforms and the latest clothing fashion for my family.
Lastly, I spent KES 550 on maize seeds and KES 1,000 on 20 kilos of bean seeds. This is in preparation for planting once the rainy season begins.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a father of six who primarily depends on mixed farming for livelihood. I currently own three cows with two calves. I am proud of this herd since this is my wealth and it has helped us in milk production for both household consumption and sales. Through milk sales, I have been able to acquire different house items and pay school fees for my children. Receiving this cash transfer to me means expansion of my farm. I am planning to use KES 30000 to buy a cow to add to my herd. Besides being an added asset to us, I foresee milk production on my farm going up. The extra income from milk sales will help me pay my children's school fees and meet other household needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We rely on subsistence farming to meet our daily needs. Our food is our priority in my family. In the last ten years, we have not been able to have good yields due to the break out of maize disease. This has made food insecurity our major concern year in year out. In the last six months, we harvested the small we had in our piece of land. This has been my greatest joy because we currently have enough for our consumption.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a father of six with no formal job to rely on. The farming I do is seasonal and the market prices of different products keep flacuating. This makes it unreliable for both daily household needs and children education. To me, lack of enough resources is the main challenge we are facing.
