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 ($524 USD)
access_time 4 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 from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I have been able to own some assets that we can rely on in case of financial crisis in the future. Also, I am glad that this sheep that I bought using the transfers have started reproducing and increase in number.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well by ensuring that everyone who was enrolled got the transfers and I do but see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, we decided to build a house in the farm that my mother in-law had bought for us. We settled on this since she wanted us to start living in that place. Also, I spent some amount to buy some sheep for rearing. This are assets to us that we can rely on in case of a financial crisis. I spent the remaining amount to buy three sacks of maize and other household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having a dairy cow has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I am no longer doing a lot of casual jobs. Milk production gives me an income that has assisted me with some of my family needs. Unlike before, I used to do a lot of casual jobs on other peoples' farms in order to get money. The wages was not enough to meet my family's needs.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification on my phone early in the morning. Upon checking the notification, it was MPESA notifying me that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I was very happy to receive the money because I now knew that some of my dreams will be fulfilled.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchasing a dairy cow. In our area milk is a staple food for young children. I usually buy from my neighbor and this has been very expensive. This is because the income from my casual jobs was not enough. I also use the other part of transfers on purchasing food. In last season, we harvested little because of drought that affects the maize plants. I managed to buy a sack of maize, this will sustain until we harvest at the end of this season. Lastly, I used another part of the transfer to start poultry keeping. This will give me some income to cater for my family's needs like buying salts, sugar and other needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I own a small shop in the nearby center thus receiving this money means i will be able to improve my business by stocking up my shop. I will also use the money to buy two dairy cattle which in turn provide us with milk for consumption as well as selling some to generate daily income for my family
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day entails going to my shop in the morning till evening in order to get some small amount of money to buy food for my family. I am usually happy in the evening since this is the time i go home with food and also the time i catch up with my family after the day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unstable source of income is a great challenge for me. I own a small shop in the nearby trading center which do not generate enough income since i use the greater part of profit to pay rent for the shop thus i am usually left with barely enough to take home. This has always been my worry since i struggle a lot providing daily needs for my family
