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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow and some goats. This would not have been possible had I not received the transfer. Before buying the dairy cow, I would on average spend KES 1500 monthly on milk. I am now glad that this will not be the case very soon when my cow reproduces. Also, I also have some goats that I can easily sell when faced with financial challenges.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 10000 to purchase two goats. I decided on this since their gestation period is short hence they increase in number and become many over a short period if time. Also, I spent KES 10000 to pay school fees for my children who had been sent back home. In addition to this, I spent around KES 10000 on farming. I hired a tractor for farm preparation purposes and bought some quality hybrid seeds. Using the remaining amount, I bought some clothes, beddings and food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2pm while in town when I heard my phone ring and on checking it's contents it was GiveDirectly money. I was overwhelmed with joy and immediately broke the news to my wife who was very excited too.Within no time we went to the nearest MoMo agent and withdrew the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is owning a dairy cow which I had desired to buy for the past two years after selling the previous one for fees but couldn't afford. Initially, I used to struggle to buy food and milk at the same time. I used to rely on my motorcycle taxi and metal scrap buying job but the returns were low. Through the milk from the dairy cow, my children are now healthy and happier than before. Initially, I used to stress up because sometimes I couldn't afford all household needs and school fees at the same time. Through the transfers I have also bought adequate books for my kids.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35000 of my transfer on a dairy cow because I didn't have one before. I used to rely on casual labor in order to buy a litre of milk at KES 30 per day. I spent KES 5000 on timber for building a new kitchen house because the one I had was old, very tiny and had leaking grass thatched roof. I also spent KES 3000 on clothing for my family because the clothes we had were old and worn out. I also spent some on food because the maize is still in the farm. I have saved some for house hold expenditure.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been buying milk for my children since when I established this household and I would like to purchase a good dairy cow so that we can obtain milk easily. Currently I buy the milk at USD 0.50 daily for one litre which is quite expensive for us since I do not have a job or good business. Sometimes when we cannot afford our nutrition as a family detororiates.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at the end of the day when I have toiled throughout the day collecting scrap metals to sell to a recycling company and I am coming back home to my family and at least carrying some food for them to eat for that day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My parents never took me to school due to financial challenges they had. This really affected me later in life since I couldn't secure a job easily and my family totally depends on me. I also was not well equipped with skills to sustain any business.
