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 ($422 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I want to be self-sufficient in food production. I plan to grow a high-yielding variety of maize that is resistant to disease and beans and vegetables for consumption and for sale. I have learned a huge lesson from last year when the cost of food skyrocketed. I had to dig deep inside my pockets to buy the very expensive foodstuffs and at times I could not afford them. I do not want to experience the same situation in the future anymore.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The staff of GiveDirectly are down to earth, they are respectful and have the passion to do their job. They took the time to explain to me everything about the program.At first I thought a non- kalenjin speaker would visit me and that I would struggle to speak or understand Kiswahili or English. They made clear every doubts we had. They are good people and I wish them well as they continue with their job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The scarcity of drinking water had been a problem to me and even water for household use was da and could not easily be accessed. The situation was further worsened by my condition, I am aging and as a result, I am not able to carry water on my back for long distances. The transfers could not have come at a better time. When I received the money I never hesitated I went straight to purchase a water tank that cost KES 36000. I also used KES 20000 to dig a water dam that my cows are using. I am so elated since I longer have to travel long distances to look for water, it has saved me all the agony.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($458 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. It is actually my children who informed me that the message I had heard and received was from GiveDirectly. The following day we were able to withdraw the money and implemented our first plan of buying a dairy cow. I owned just one dairy cow and had planned to have additional livestock so as to make sure we have milk supply all year round.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly has been quite many. I have been able to boost my agricultural activities by buying hybrid seeds for crops and planting in time as well. Right now I have a maize plantation that I am looking forward to harvesting it I believe I will be able to reap more than I have ever done before and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for this. As for the second transfer, I have plans of buying furniture, food and clothes for my family. I also have intentions of using part of the money to pay school fees for my grandson who stays with me. I am looking forward to accomplishing all these and it makes me so happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 28000 to buy a dairy cow and used another KES 4000 to till a piece of land as the remainder was used to buy food food and other basic household needs for my family. We had one dairy cow and we saw it fit to buy an additional dairy since the one that we owned would not provide us with enough and constant supply of milk all year round. I am happy and feel lucky now that we have two and we are looking forward to having more than enough milk for both consumption and selling the surplus to make extra income.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Farming is my mainstay economic activity. I depend on subsistence crop farming and livestock keeping. However,I sold most of my livestock to pay school fees for my children when they were in secondary school. Receiving this money means that I will buy two dairy cows targeting milk production.I will also buy goats and then spend the remaining money on tilling my farm to plant maize.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the last six months, my farm did well because I harvested enough maize that will last until August when my other crop will be ready to harvest. I am not worried about maize at this time when my neighbours have to buy the commodity at exorbitant prices.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge is getting sufficient food for the household. This is especially a problem now because i need yo balance my diet in this old age. I lack enough milk and proper vegetables because I neither have a dairy cow nor a source of income to buy the food that I need.
