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 ($417 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Despite the fact that we are experiencing difficult times as a result of the seemingly never-ending drought, I am optimistic that I will be able to significantly improve my farming activities this year. Previously, farming was the primary source of income, but due to the four-month drought, we have been unable to harvest anything from our farms and have been forced to plant late. I'm hoping that when the rains come, I will still be able to plant the short-season crops and harvest them in time to help mitigate hunger while also earning some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDiretly's incredible work has lifted many poor families in our village, and they are grateful. I was delighted to be a part of this program, and the transformation I witnessed is due to GiveDirectly's wise decision to provide us with financial support. The spending patterns in the village varied depending on the challenges that everyone was facing at the time. We understood how the program worked, and it would be an honor if other villages received similar assistance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a long list of things I needed to do after receiving my first transfer. I spent $300 of the budgeted amount on a dairy cow to supplement the one I had obtained with the first transfer. I needed another cow to increase milk production, which has helped us pay household bills when we sell the surplus. I also got a sack of maize for $48 and other foodstuffs for my current family of five. The severe drought that hit our farms, destroying all crops, has left us with no choice but to buy food for the rest of the year. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support because the outcome of the investment we made in LiveStock is still beneficial today. In addition, I spent $40 on new clothes and saved the remainder to check and replenish any exhausted household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was busy at the field herding. My grandchildren came to the field running, Upon asking why they were looking all happy. That was when they broke the good news that I had received a sum of KES 55,000 from Segovia technology. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness because this meant that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had of owning a dairy cow. We then embarked on planning how we would utilise the money. I am grateful for the support that lifted our living standard amazingly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that I was able to purchase a dairy cow with the unconditional transfer. Additionally, I bought foodstuffs that would last us for a while. I was unable to realise the goal due to financial constraints, and I am now able to save up money that I used to spend on milk daily. I am contented that I was able to achieve my dream in a short period. I am so thankful for the support that uplifted our lives amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon the receipt of my transfer, I opted to purchase a dairy cow. This is because I knew that it would sustain me in terms of milk production for our daily consumption and also I would get a chance to sell some. Therefore I used KES 40,000 on buying a dairy cow. I was unable to purchase a cow before since I depend on farming to earn a living yet it is no longer productive. I then used KES 5000 on my son's medication. Additionally, I used the remaining amount on foodstuffs and clothes. I am forever thankful for the support that lifted my living standard amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am old to actively engage in casual jobs like before. I am in a polygamous marriage hence my husband has many children to provide for. This made me the breadwinner of my household. I have relied on casual jobs and subsistence farming for my entire life. I thank that I was able to educate my children with these two jobs. I sold much of my farm produce and livestock to family access to their needs. Currently, I am old and less energetic to go for casual jobs hence I am only left with subsistence farming to rely on. I have seen that livestock is more reliable than crop farming in our area. This gave me a passion for cattle keeping. When I receive my cash transfer, I will spend KES 30000 to buy a dairy cow to add to the one I have. This means that my farm will be producing more milk for a long period as compared to having one cow. I will have more income from milk sales to take care of other family needs and calves which act as my financial securities.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I never went beyond primary school in my education. This left me as a casual laborer and farmer as my economic activities. Currently, I engage in farming alone and meeting my daily household needs is my biggest ambition. In the last six months, my cow has been my greatest source of joy. It has been lactating producing an average of 5 liters a day. Milk sales have made it possible to have funds for household expenditures items. I have had some liters for my consumption which gave me good nutrition thus maintained good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am happy that I was able to take my children to school some to college and university levels. I feel good looking at them enjoy better lives than how mine was. Having had no formal job since I used much of what I acquired from farming and casual jobs on their education. I am currently old and not able to go for casual jobs again. I am left with one cow to rely on for milk and our crops are adversely affected by low rainfall and smaller piece of land under cultivation. Getting money is quite hard for me currently hence I have financial instability as my biggest challenge.
