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 moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard a message alert on my phone while I was cooking my supper that evening. Since I could not understand the contents of the message, I called for my helper who confirmed to me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and thanked GiveDirectly for fulfilling their promise to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been sleeping on old mats and the traditional bed and it was not comfortable at all. I could wake up feeling tired in the morning which was not good for my health in my old age. I have not been able to buy new ones at my own cost. I could not plan for this because even adequately fending for my basic needs such as food and fees for my children was a challenge. I could not save enough for this purpose because every coin mostly went to food. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because, through the transfer, I acquired a new mattress and a modern bed and replaced the old ones. I can now afford to sleep well unlike when I had not received the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My children were having huge fee balances which had accumulated for some months. When I received the first transfer, I spent Ksh. 15000 on clearing the fee balances. This gave me peace of mind because I have ample time to prepare for the next payment. My children will not be sent home, they were allowed to continue with their studies without interruptions on fees. After paying the fees, I went ahead and purchased a new mattress and modern bed and replaced the old ones that I have been using for years. They were old and worn out and could not offer a comfortable sleep. I am now sleeping soundly on my new beddings unlike when I was using mats and a traditional bed. Apart from these, I also bought two goats at Ksh. 7000 which I am currently keeping in my homestead. My plan is to rear them so that as they reproduce and increase in number, I can readily sell and help me raise fees for my children. I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs which include a bag of maize and daily vegetables. This ensured that food was adequately available in my household.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have doing farming in our land for over ten years now and the previous season we harvested almost nothing. The land has lost its fertility and it has become less productive. We are planning to lease like ten acres in our neighboring village to do farming now that it's raining season. With an amount of 30000KES, am quite sure we will have enough food for our family if the rains proceed as it is.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter-in-law gave birth last month, a baby girl and I named her after me. She is indeed the joy of my life. I normally get happiness when I carry that child.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is now our main problem in here as a household. The drought condition has affected most of the crops we have here and it's the only source of our food. My husband is now very weak, he can not do any other job therefore leaving me alone as the only one to provide for this household. It's a very tough experience in this family because we sometimes go to bed without eating.
