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.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I thank GiveDirectly for their financial support. I had lived a stressful life since I felt I wasn't in a position to support my family. I had nothing to own as assets in my homestead and the scarce recourse couldn't allow me to acquire any. Having livestock to us is very important because once they reproduce, they increase in number and have many of them. I am assured that I will be able to sell the offsprings in the future to support my family's needs and any financial need arising such as educating my children who are still young at the moment. I will soon have milk for both sales and household consumption thus will have some money to save unlike now where I only spend on. Owning a cow is the biggest difference in my daily life and am thankful to GiveDirectly for this.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification in that morning. I rose up to read the content of the message. Seeing a Mpesa text on the phone made me happier as I read the whole content, I realized GiveDirectly had honoured their promise. I was thankful to them for the money since It would completely change the status of my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of the transfer on purchasing a heifer at KES 15000. I am happy that I currently have an asset to take pride in since I had none before. I am expecting it to reproduce thus with time will have milk from for both household consumption and sales. I had been living with my children under one roof a habit that has been uncomfortable for us since my children are grown up now and need some privacy. I took a portion of my transfer to buy building materials. I feel happy that I have constructed their own room, where they can enjoy their own privacy. I spent the remaining amount on my household needs among them is paying for my household's expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a financial instability decline in my household. Currently, I work as a matatu tout, and the struggle I undergo each day to sustain the needs of the family is overwhelming. This is the only source of income that the family depends on for food, clothing, education and health care; something that is constraining given that it is hardly enough to cater for all that. Therefore, receiving this money will enable me to venture into other income-generating activities. First, I desire to start up a kiosk business for my wife. Having her work and at least earn an income will be a great boost to the household. Again, I plan to venture into livestock farming as a long-term investment for my children's education. Having these two major projects up and running will give me an easy time in the near future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because it is at this moment where I spend quality time with my wife and children. As the nature of my work dictates, I spend most of my day in the road. And always looking forward to evening to see my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of alternative sources of income has been the biggest hardship in my life. I have been a tout for over five years now, and it has been difficult to get out of it because I don't have any other means to fend for the family. Every shilling that I earn goes to household needs and my effort to get another job has bore no fruit. Am glad Givedirectly has come to our aid. I will ensure that I plan for it well for maximum returns.
