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 ($416 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a lot of goals for the coming year, but my first priority is to buy a dairy cow so that I can stop spending money on milk for my family of three. Because the bulls have been so adaptable, low-maintenance, and fast-growing, I hope to sell one in August for around $300, which will be enough to buy a dairy cow. I also hope to pay my two children's school fees on time in the coming terms because I will be selling the other bull.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's fairness was incredible in that there was no bias during enrollment. Both the wealthy and the poor were given equal opportunities to enroll and were given the same amount of money. We were given the freedom to spend the money however they saw fit after receiving it. Even though we still want more, we also want to see that the same thing is happening in other villages. Growing together across communities is a good feeling because everyone will begin to work to improve their living standards and bring everyone up to the same economic level.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I first received the transfer, I intended to buy a dairy cow, but the increased prices were due to the high demand created by the fact that most of the households went out in search of one. Because I couldn't go over my budget, I decided to spend some of it on a bullock with the intention of fattening it and then using the proceeds to buy a dairy cow. When we received the second transfer, cow prices remained high, so we had to bring in another bull worth $150. When one of the two matures, I will sell it to buy a cow and keep the other to pay school fees for my children later. In addition, I purchased 24 iron sheets for $9 each, as well as other materials such as nails and wood, in preparation for the construction of a new house. I have been living in a small house with my children since my parents passed away two years ago. I am glad the construction is still going on and hope it will be finished soon. In addition, I paid $30 for labor and received a $30 piece of furniture for the new house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time almost 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. Never before had I received such huge amounts of money in my account. I got to see the message at around 8:00 pm when I was just about to retire to bed and it was the best news I could get before I could retire to bed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Right now I have peace of mind. I can now sleep in peace without much stress like before. We are more happier as a family than we were before we received money from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 13000 to pay school fees for my children and used another KES 17000 to buy a dairy cow. The remaining amount was used to buy food and other basic household needs and to advance my agricultural activities. I made a choice to buy a cow since this is one of the main economic activities that we engage in here and which will empower us and make us ready to meet other expenses in the future.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting an income-generating activity of poultry farming. I am a widow living with 2 children who are in school and most of the time I depend on my brother in law to pay for their school fees this is because I suffered from delivery complications which led to being operated on thrice. This operation limited me in terms of activities and I only do light duties. It has been my ambition to start poultry farming since it does not require a lot of energy and there is a ready market. So when I receive this transfer I will spend KES 20000 as my capital, for the construction of the chicken coop and purchasing more hens. This business will be my source of income at the same time pay school fees for my daughter who has yet to sit for the final exams.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got sick one month ago and I was referred to a referral hospital however, I did not have any penny in my pocket to go to that hospital. A good wisher brought me medication which resolved the issue I was suffering from. This brought joy and happiness into my life and I did not have to go to the hospital again.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. Due to the complications, I suffered from the operation I can only do light duties something which has limited my potential. I now depend on my brother for law some time to pay school fees for my children. I once tried vending maize in the market however, it needed a lot of lifting which I could not and I got discouraged. I have a small farm but the products are not sufficient to meet my household needs.
