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 ($526 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been living in this village for close to ten years and all this time I have always wanted to have and rear a cow. This has not been possible with financial constraints and other pressing needs. This was until I got my first transfer. I bought a cow that is currently lactating and the milk thereof is used at home. This was a dream come true and not only do I have just one but two cows. I am also happy that I enjoy drinking clean water from a water tank that I bought. Before, I was forced to use water from a water pond which was really unhealthy and posed health challenges. I am less worried now that I store the rainwater which is cleaner than pond water.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I loved that no one was favored more than the other, everyone was treated fairly. The officers were friendly in their daily activities always truthful with the information needed. Everything was done well and with high standards of professionalism.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the second transfer to buy building materials in preparation to do an extension of my home. I also bought a cow for rearing. using the rest of the transfer.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
For a long time, I have dreamt of improving my daily life to make it better. I primarily depend on farming to earn a living to support the family and my basic needs. I have lived to struggle every day since my family needs ranging from my children's education to the daily household basic needs has been too much for my subsistence farming to settle them to satisfaction. I always felt bad whenever the basic household needs become challenging to meet with milk being the most expensive since I had no cow. I feel my life has greatly changed since I received my transfer in that I used part of it to buy a cow. I am happy that this has reduced my daily household expenditure and even added me an income from milk sales. I feel relaxed and enjoying a peaceful mind now that I have a supplement of income and an asset that I can lean on in cases of emergencies in my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am after waking up when I decided to check what time it was using my phone. It was at this time that I realized that I had an unread message from GiveDirectly and Mpesa. I became so happy after reading the two messages as they all indicated that I was KES 55000 richer at that time. I knew that that day marked an end to all of my troubles.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I am happy that GiveDirectly has greatly changed my living standard. Before receiving my transfer, I used to go for long-distance to fetch water which was time-consuming and tiring. I also used to spend a lot on my household daily basic needs since I bought everything including milk which was costly. When I received my transfer, I used part of it to buy a water tank that will help me harvest water during the rainy season. I feel this will help me reduce the time spent on fetching water and am assured of clean water at my doorstep unlike before. Also, I used some amount to buy a cow which has changed my life. I currently have enough milk for my household consumption and some to sell to earn an extra income. I used the remaining amount to buy a barbed wire to use in fencing my compound. I am happy that my properties are secured from livestock around our home.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have one dairy cow which does not provide enough milk for consumption and for sale.I will therefore use the money from GiveDirectly to buy one more cow.This will boost my income and ensure consistent supply of milk.With one cow there are some seasons which I lack milk and I am forced to buy for consumption.This is usually expensive for me.The cow will cost me Ksh 40,000(400 USD). During the dry season, I have a challenge of getting clean water. I therefore have a plan of buying a water tank costing approximately Ksh 20,000(200 USD). Water from water pans is not safe to use for domestic purposes like cooking.When I harvest rain water during the rainy season,it will help solve the problem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up as early as 5:30 am.I prepare my children to go to school then milk the cows.I leave for work at 7am.I work till 5 pm.I am surbordinate staff in charge of cleanliness in the dispensary.I enjoy the morning hours since my mind and body is usually fresh and active at work and I do not struggle working.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a single mother and it has been a struggle to get to where I am currently.I gave birth to my first child when I was still living with my parents.I was raised up in a humble background and I added a burden to my parents who were already struggling to feed us.I had to look for employment inorder to raise money so that I could at least be independent. I was lucky to get employment as a grounds person at a nearby dispensary. From my little salary I was able to save enough to buy me a small piece of land(0.5 acres) and build this small house.It took me 10 years of work.With all my savings going to all this I am still struggling to become stable financially.I am paid Ksh 7,500(75 USD) a month which is barely enough to support all my needs.
