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 ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Purchasing an ox plough is the new goal that I did not have before receiving the cash transfers. I have been dreaming to own this tool because I have been hiring from friends which were quite expensive besides having the pair of oxen. I felt there was would a relief if at all I could have them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing good in my village and this is evident from the impressions on our faces. Currently, 99% of us have decent houses, livestock and we have been empowered to start businesses in town. Also, the officers were approachable and down to earth, we could easily interact with them. All our concerns were well answered and we were all satisfied.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two goats at KES 5000. I have desired to have them for quite some time but due to the financial hardships, I couldn't afford them. I settled for them because their offsprings mature very fast. Also, I bought a solar panel at KES 20000. Back in the days, I was using candles and sometimes I could stay in the dark throughout the night because they were very expensive. I am glad that this is resolved, I can also charge my phones and those of my friends at a fee. In addition to that, I bought a new mattress, new uniforms, stationery, and cleared fees of KES 5000 for my son. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my five children. As a mother, I am happy that we no longer skip meals like before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 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 the nearby water pan where we had gone to do a casual job to earn a living. I heard a message alert on my phone. Being illiterate, I was with my niece and I gave the phone to him to check message content. He informed me that I had received the transfer. At first, I did believe and I had to reach home for my son to confirm in my account. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer and rejoiced with my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now happy farmer after boosting the goats rearing activity with the help of my transfer. In addition, I will be able to further the education of my child who was late to join secondary school due to lack of financial capacity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer to boost goat rearing by purchasing 7 more goats for KES 28,000. This is my future investment for the children. It will help me in educating them once they multiply. I also spent KES 3200 to acquire a sack of maize our staple food for my family consumption. Similarly, I paid off my debt at the shop where I had been taking food on loan. I am planning to use the amount on shopping for my kids who are about to join secondary school.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for me. I have a 4 acre piece of land. I only farm on 1 acre where I approximately get 180 kg of maize. With a family of 3 children and a husband,the 180 kgs only last for 2 months. I do land preparation by hand which makes it impossible to farm on all the four acres. I am planning to buy 2 bulls at KES 15,000 each and an ox drawn plough of KES 10,000. These bulls will help me in land preparation. I will now be able to do farming in all the four acres. This will translate to more produce that will last us for around 8 months. I will then buy 2 cows at a total of KES 30,000 for livestock production. For the rest of the money, I will use it to pay school fees for my son who is supposed to join secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. I always have a very peaceful morning when my children and I wake up healthy and safe.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship I have ever faced. I have a four acre piece of land but I only use 1 acre for farming. This is because I do land preparation by hand which is very tiresome. Cultivation by hand is not productive, I approximately get 200kgs of maize on a good season. Having a family of 3 children and a husband, the 200kgs last for only 2 months. After the maize is finished, we are forced to do very tiresome tasks such as cutting down trees for charcoal burning. We then sell the charcoal so that we get money to buy food.
