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 ($465 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?
Yes, I have a new goal of fencing my farm with a chained-link fence. This is to prevent neighbor's cows from straying into my farm and damaging my crops. I am also planning to venture into poultry farming. This is because I have twenty-two chicks and this will be a source of income when they multiply.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly officers trained us well. Additionally, every household in our area was enrolled fairly whether rich or poor all were enrolled.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three years ago, I started renting an acre of land for farming maize and potatoes in another county. This is because maize farming had been affected in our area by the maize pandemic hence had to look for an alternative farm for food production. So when I received the transfer I grabbed the opportunity and bought three eight of the land we had been renting at KES 35,000.
Secondly, I spent KES 4, 000 on a bag of maize. This is because I normally rely on sweet potatoes and sukuma wiki farming for food. In addition, I used KES 6000 to purchase of latest clothing fashion which we couldn't otherwise afford.
Lastly, I bought a wire mesh for protecting chicks at KES 500. I also spent KES 2500 on the weeding of maize and KES 3000 on my medication. Now, I am grateful because I have recovered.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9:10am. I was on my way back home from the merry go round group that we have started in our village. When I heard a message tone from my phone. When I checked it I couldn't believe my eyes. It was message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow. I hurried up to inform the family members of the good news. My spouse felt so happy too. It was such a great day for all the family. We went to withdrew the money the same day with my spouse and planned on how to spent it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I depend on small scale farming and the harvest that we usually get is so small. I had no surplus harvest to sell to earn an income. My spouse does casual jobs and the money that he gets is for household needs including paying school fees for my children. We had no savings to purchase a dairy cow. My children could missed to have milk whenever there was no money completely to buy. This was so demoralizing and stressful. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because this was the only opportunity to invest on dairy cow. We decided with my spouse and went to purchase a dairy cow together. Currently we have enough milk for my family and even sell the surplus milk to earn an income to meet other household items and save some in merry go round group that we have started. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 to purchased a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I am able to cut the daily cost now. I started poultry keeping project, I bought eight hens. This is my source of income since I sell the eggs. I am able to save the money I get in merry go round group that we have started in our village. I plough my farm ready for planting maize. The rest of the money I spent on other basic household items. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream is to own a dairy cow. I currently have one bull which does not help in milk production. I have to buy milk each day on credit and pay KES 600 every end month. A good dairy cow will cost us about KES 30000.The remaining transfer from Give Directly will aid my family in building a bigger shelter by expanding our house to a 2 bedroom house that will cost us another KES 25,000. Lastly we will buy food, some chicken for the homestead and clothes for the children
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a stay at home mother, my day revolves around house chores and errands in the village. I normally wake up at 7 in the morning, head to the stream to get Water for breakfast and house chores.At around mid-day I prepare lunch for my 2 kids then take our cow for grazing until evening. The happiest part of my day is at night when I have finished all chores and can rest with my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we face is insufficient capital. My husband works as a casual labourer in Nairobi and earns only KES 7,000 per month. Living standards in Nairobi are high and he has to pay rent, food for both houses as well as send some money for health expenses at home. Most months we live on credit and we don't have cash to save for future investments such as buying the dairy cow or building a bigger house
