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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My short term goal is of course to increase the amount of land I have. If I can do that, it will mean I would have enough maize to sell and for my own sustainability and that would greatly help my day to day living as well as financially.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
All I would ask of GiveDirectly is that they continue to change and impact people's lives as they did myself and those around me who were beneficiaries. Increasing the transfers to allow for more money to reach recipients would help even more since they can get a lot done with more money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A dairy cow was on the top of my to - do - list, as soon as I received the transfers from GiveDirectly. It was closely followed up by my acquisition of a 1,000 litre water storage tank, to help with the sporadic water supply at our place. The funds helped me greatly since, as a widow, mother of 9 ( all of whom are above 18 years, some married and others working) and grand mother to 10 I have to fend for myself, seeing as my kids are busy raising their own families. It has been 20 years since my husband died and I have been living off the fruits of my 5 acre piece of land where I till maize and sell. If GiveDirectly had not stepped in, I would have been hard pressed to accomplish what I did with the funds they sent.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my home when I heard our neighbors rejoicing for receiving their transfer. I was eager to know if I had received mine like everyone in the village. I immediately called my helper to check my phone if I had received the transfer. I was so excited when I was informed that I had received KES 55,000 in my account. It was the happiest moment in my life for receiving the transfer, we jointly celebrated for the aid. I had already planned on how to best spend my transfer to uplift my living standard so I went to withdraw the transfer the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is am living a better life after receiving my transfer. I am currently able to meet most of my basic needs like food without much struggle. Furthermore, I have a dairy cow and am optimistic that I will be able to have sufficient milk for my family once it reproduces. Previously, I had to purchase from my neighbor which was costly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 9,000 to purchase one indigenous dairy cow for myself. This is because I have desired to own my dairy cow so that I would have a steady milk supply for the family. Previously, I had to purchase milk from our neighbors every day which is relatively costly. In addition, I spent KES 15,000 to clear the fee arrears for my grandchild who had completed college but he was not able to obtain his certificate due to the huge fee balance. Currently, I am happy that he has his certificate and is ready to apply for a job after completing his studies. Furthermore, I used the remaining amount to purchase enough food for the family and save some for any financial emergency that I might encounter in the future.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am an old woman who has no strength to engage in any economic activities. Besides, I have been sick for more than 8 years. I was diagnosed with Tuberculosis that weakened me and I could no longer engage in any casual jobs that I used to do like farming for other people to get money. I also suffered eye problem that made me to undergo surgery for my right eye. This has really been a challenge for me to engage in any economic activities. Over the years I have been depending on my children to take care of me which to some extent, made me feel like I am a burden to them. I intend to use the cash transfer to buy goats and cows. This will help me to start selling milk and sell the goats when the multiply. This will be my store of wealth for my grand children in future as a compensation to my children for standing with me while I was sick. Receiving this money therefore means starting a livestock farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of the day. This is because I feel a sense of happiness when I wake up healthy and strong. Having spent years of ailment, I feel happy when I see a new day and in good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is sickness. I was diagnosed of Tuberculosis and later on underwent eye surgery. This made me to be economically inactive and be dependent on other people like my children to take care of me. Over the years, I have been surviving on my own. However, this has not been possible after spending years looking for treatment. This has made me to feel so sad as I cannot do anything to help me earn some money for myself and my grandchildren.
