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 ($485 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?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I was spending KES 900 per month. I depend on small scale farming and small business of groceries. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs I used to save some money for school fees for my son. I had no money to buy the dairy cow. When I received the second transfer I found it wise to invest on dairy farming. I bought a dairy cow and currently I get enough milk for my family. I get 7 litres per day. My family used 3 liters per day and I sell 4 liters to earn an income. I save the money that I get through the sell of milk to pay school fees and also to meet other basic household needs. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled me to cut this daily cost. I am hopeful that I will improve this dairy farming to another level.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 of the second transfer I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I paid KES 15,000 for school fees for my son who is in secondary school. He was able to study well without being sent home. I added stock to my groceries business. My business has picked up so wel because I meet the demand of my customers. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received my transfers at around six in the morning and was very happy and grateful. As a business woman, I withdrew the money on the the second day which was a market day and bought more stock for business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Adding more onions, tomatoes and vegetables for my business is the biggest difference in my daily life. This will go a long way in payment of school fees for my kids. I have also bought a dairy cow which will be a source of milk for my family. There is also adequate of food for my family to feed on.This all wouldn't be possible were it not for GD.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 300 dollars on dairy cow because I didn't have one before and in order to reduce milk purchase costs. I spent 100 dollars on buying additional stock for my onions, tomato and vegetables business. I used 120 dollars on three maize sacks as food for my family. 50 dollars on purchase of maize seeds and tractor for hire because it's planting season in my area. 55 dollars on church tithes and the rest on additional chicken layers.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a mother of eight children. Unfortunately, feeding and educating our children has been a tough challenge since we are just but peasant farmers. Precisely, most of my children have been absent from school due to lack of fees. Others have dropped out of school. Hence, receiving this money means that the three children who are still pursuing their studies shall have ample time to successfully complete grade 12.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I am interacting with customers at my local center where I normally go to sell some of our farm produce, especially vegetables and onions. This is the moment I tend to forget the usual stresses that I have because I would laugh a lot and meet new and common people.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As peasant farmers in an area with unfavorable climatic conditions, food scarcity has been the norm in our family. Hence, the biggest hardship I have faced in life is seeing my children go to bed hungry or poorly fed due to the frequent inadequacy of food. I feel like an irresponsible and uncaring parent.
