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 was awakened by the loud vibration from my mobile phone at exactly 7 AM. I was so curious and opted to check who had sent the message at that particular hour since it was so unusual. Upon checking, I realized it was the Mpesa messge from GiveDirectly that I had patiently been waiting for. I was extremely happy and I immediately shared the news with my family members. We started celebrating and thanking God for the financial breakthrough. It was a very joyous and emotional moment in our lives.
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 now own some goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I am happy that I now have assets to lean on in case of a financial crisis. I settled to buy them because of so many reasons, which include; they mature fast and reproduce twice a year which is in line with my desire of owning a herd. I am optimistic that very soon they will multiply and I will be able to educate my three children who are still young to achieve their goals. The odd jobs that I have depended on for all those years could not cater for their further studies and I am happy this will soon be achievable. Also, I will not be struggling in meeting my family's (ten members) basic needs like I used to do becasue I can readily lean on these goats.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock more so seven goats at a total of KES 24500 I settled in rearing them because the climatic condition in our village is ideal for their growth. I am sure this is the best way of investing my transfers because the chances of failing are very minimal. I also bought beddings such as a new mattress at KES 3800 to replace the old one which had worn out. In addition to that, I managed to clear school fees for my three children who are still in primary school so that they can study without any disturbances. The remaining amount of money was finally spent on purchasing enough foodstuffs and decent clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired to invest in livestock because this is the only way I can save my money to earn a profit when I sell them after they multiply. Therefore I intend to spend $600 of my transfer to buy 20 goats. I further use $200 to construct a separate house for my children, this will restore my respect which I have lost for a long. The remaining amount will help me to buy a new bed and mattress to give me a nice sleep hence it will guarantee me a better livelihood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. Unlike morning and afternoon when I am busy with my charcoal vending job. I come home in the evening to rest and meet my family something that gives me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a charcoal vendor, a job that is tiresome and time-consuming yet its income is very little such that it cannot fully support the needs of the family. Sometimes we skip meals or borrow from my relatives something that never gives me peace since I usually feel ashamed. Therefore I can consider the lack of a reliable source of income as the hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
