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 ($442 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 new goal now is to complete the construction of the house that I started using the previous transfer. It stops at some point due to a lack of money to buy some of the materials. I wish to complete this soon and move in with my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by Giving money to the poor in the community to improve their standard of living. This is because most of the people have built a better and decent houses which they did not have before. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 45,000 on purchasing a bull. I had purchased some heifers before and my goal was to have a bull for breeding. I am so happy because I have achieved this. I had always wanted to invest in daily keeping projects but I did not have the money. Currently, I have achieved this through GiveDirectly support. I am so happy and now I have devoted much of my time to this project and I wish to move to the best level. It will be my main source of income since I will sell the milk and even cut the daily cost of buying milk as well. The remaining amount of money I spent on household items and clothes for my family members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 am while outside my house. That's when my neighbors cheerfully passed in large numbers on the road near my house informing me of the arrival of the transfers. Immediately I checked my phone and confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly too. I was very excited and this motivated me to carry on with my day's work.
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 the transfers is buying two heifers at once. These will not only be a source of milk for my family but also an income source to buy an additional piece of land. In my life, I had never received aid but GiveDirectly has made it possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of six and a maize vendor for the past five years. From maize vending, I get to feed and school my kids. On a day I make a profit of KES 200 to KES 600 on a good day.
When I received my transfers, I topped up and bought two heifers at KES 30,000 each.
This is because once they reproduce I intend to sell them for an additional piece of land to the one acre of land I inherited from my parents.
Additionally, I had desired to buy another dairy cow for the past two years but couldn't afford it. This is because the one I had usually produces 6 liters of which I sell three liters. And during dry spells, I am forced to buy milk which is quite costly hence the need for an alternative milk source.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean that I will be able to clear school arrears for my six children in school. I have six children, two that are in secondary school, and the rest are still in primary school and they require a lot of money for their fees that I am not able to provide because of the little that I earn from casual jobs. Clearing their fees will be a big relief to me since this was my major worry and I will be able to focus on completing the house that I had started building.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, I was able to start constructing our family house but has stalled due to insufficient money. I am grateful that although the house is still under construction, I was able to start this project, and with time, my family will have a comfortable place to stay.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The major challenge that I face currently is financial constraints. I rely on casual jobs to feed and educate my children after losing a business that I had. The money is not sufficient to meet the needs and I struggle to make my family comfortable.
