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.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 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 it would have been if I had never received my transfer in that I was able to start livestock rearing and make dowry payments for my daughter-in-law. Also, I was able to pay school fees and purchase clothes for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly did so we by sending unconditional cash that help household to improve their lives. On my part I was able to fulfil my wish of owning livestock and paying the dowry of my daughter-in-law. Don't see anything that GiveDirectly didn't do well because everyone was having the opportunity to decide what to do with his/her transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase one cow for $250 to boost my livestock rearing job which I started with my first transfer. I plan to improve them so that I may have enough milk for my family and also to sell the extra to my neighbor to earn a living. The remaining amount assisted my child in paying part of the dowry charges since he had married but had never paid the dowry.
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 a message notification very early in the morning in my phone. On checking to confirm who the sender was, I felt happy when I realized I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning livestock makes the biggest difference in my daily life. I had always desired to have these cows since they are a saving for the future for us who depend on casual jobs for a living. They are valuable assets that I can readily depend on in case of a financial need. Besides, I will also be getting milk to sell thus earning an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the transfer on buying two heifers. I resolved to buy the heifers because I know that they will reproduce and increase in number. I will be benefitting from the milk that these heifers will be producing. I will be selling the surplus to earn an income. I also spent a portion of the transfer to pay medical expenses for my daughter in-law who had been admitted. I spent the remaining part of the transfer to buy some foodstuffs and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me expand my livestock by two more. I have a plan of buying two more cows. Each will cost me around 200 USD. When the livestock increase in number I will be able to sell a few and settle a few needs like school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because I get time to rest after a very busy day in the scorching sun. I spend my day grazing cattle and later fetching firewood and getting charcoal for sale.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a farmer ,it has been hard for me cultivating crops and in turn having very low yields. Lack of rains has been the main problem. This has forced me to buy food most of the time which is quite expensive. I am forced to start selling charcoal in order to get money for food. Getting the basic needs has been a real struggle.
