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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I am no longer stressed like before. This is because I was able to purchase a dairy cow using my second transfer. Due to this, I am now optimistic of an alternative source of income in the next few months. Also, being able to extend one room in my house is a big milestone that I have made in life. Because of this, I am now happy and always ready to welcome any visitor to my house as I know that they will have a place to sleep in comfortably.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by uplifting people's lives and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 16000 to extend a room in my main house. We settled on this so that whenever we have visitors, they will not lack a place to sleep. Also, I bought a dairy cow worth KES 27000. I settled on this so that when it reproduces, I will be able to earn some income through the sell of surplus. Using the remaining amount, I bought some clothes, food and other household necessities for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 1pm when I was taking lunch and my phone beeped. On checking the message it was the GiveDirectly transfer and we were all filled with happiness. My children rushed to tell their dad and he came rejoicing as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that the cow I bought is giving us milk which we have never enjoyed since time immemorial. Right now, I am happy that my house has sofa set and looks very beautiful. In a very long time, my children got to enjoy the pleasure of wering new clothes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a cow that I am currently milking and bought seats and clothes for my family and bought 3 bags of maize to use as food.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a pastural land that is able to accommodate and feed two dairy cattles adequately. I have managed to subdivide the land into fragments and cultivate some natural and planted grass on it. I do also have one indigenous dairy cattle that graze on these fields but produces less milk that is only for subsistence use. Receiving this money means that I will be able to add another dairy exotic cattle breed that will not only supplement my family with milk for subsistence use, but also for commercial use. I foresee getting a surplus of 10 litres of milk per day which I will be able to sell at 30 shillings a litre. I will use the proceeds from the sale to cater for other needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day entails carrying out household chores in the morning and there after head to my small garden to cultivate some subsistence crops like kales, maize and sugarcane. It is in the evening that I feel happy as I account for the day's successes that mainly include if I was able to fend for my family's daily needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is the effects of residing in an area that is considered as an arid and semi arid region. The climate in this area is unsuitable for crops bearing in mind that maize is an important crop as it forms the backbone of our staple food (ugali). I have been consistently growing maize on my farm but due to unfavourable climatic conditions and poor rainfall patterns, the yields are so low. Sometimes I get zero harvest whenever there is prolonged drought.
