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 ($528 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?
My life is now different because I currently own three cows which I would not have managed to buy at my own cost. One of my future goals was to have at least a good source of income. I feel GiveDirectly has fulfilled this since I will be selling milk as these cows reproduce. I had wished for long to buy more livestock but due to scarce resources and overwhelming family needs never balanced to give me a chance to buy one. I feel so happy to own these added assets courtesy of GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in uplifting our lives which were miserable before enrollment. We have been able to provide for our families effectively, purchasing livestock as assets and most importantly, building better iron-roofed houses thus enjoying good shelter. I urge GiveDirectly to continue with the same spirit.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 8000 of my second transfer to purchase bricks in preparation for constructing a new house. It had always been my desire day and night to one day own a decent home but hopes were shattered since I did not have adequate resources to build the house. I took another KES25000 to buy a heifer to add to my herd. I feel so happy to have this asset in my homestead knowing that soon it will reproduce giving milk for both household consumption and sale and offsprings to lean on during the financial crisis in our family. In addition to these, I spent the remaining amount to cater for my in-law mother's funeral. We lost her immediately we received our transfer thus her untimely demise demanded immediate needs that part of my transfer gave us. Thank you GiveDirectly.
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.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I no longer buy milk daily like I used to before. Due to this, I have been able to save the money I would otherwise use in buying milk. I also believe that very soon, I will be earning an income through milk sales when it reproduces. I will be using this money to pay school fees for my children and to invest more in other income-generating activities. Also, I will be selling the calves in case of a financial crisis in the future.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I realized that I had an unread message on my phone. Upon reading its contents, my heart was filled with happiness as the message indicated that GiveDirectly had finally sent us the promised money. This money gave me hopes that I would be able to transform my life positively.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
After receiving my first transfers from GiveDirectly, I bought a dairy cow worth KES 35000. Buying milk has been my daily routine and it is always costly. When it reproduces, I will get milk for our consumption and for sale to earn an income. I will be using this money to meet my family needs. Also, I spent KES 8000 to buy some bricks that I am intending to use in building a more permanent house for my family. I used the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family. I bought three sacks of maize, 25 kg of rice and some decent clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a dairy farmer and as I expand I always try to minimize costs.I therefore have a plan of buying a chaff cutter machine which will save me time and money while feeding the cows.I incur costs especially because I have to employ someone to do the work.The machine will cost me Ksh 30,000(300 USD).My second plan when I receive this money is cementing the kitchen floor.My long term plan has been to see all the floors of my house cemented.The kitchen is the only room remaining so far.I also want to fence a part of my compound so that I can confine my chicken within the compound.Sometimes they lay eggs and are eaten by stray dogs because the compound is open to all kinds of animals.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the whole day around my farm looking after cattle,farming and doing the daily house chores.At the end of the day I am usually tired.I enjoy the evening hours because I relax with my family after a busy day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a farmer the hardships I experience are mainly due to the frequent dry climatic conditions.During the dry season I face a lot of challenges.One is lack of clean water for domestic use and also for the cattle.I am usually forced to go and fetch water 5 km away.I carry using my back or pay for motorcycle transport (Ksh 50) per trip.This is usually very costly.The second challenge during the dry season is lack of feeds for the cattle and little harvest.At the end of it our income is limited and satisfying the family's basic needs becomes a big challenge.
