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 had been longing to own a dairy cow for so long but this had not been possible due to financial constraints. At the moment, I thank GiveDirectly for enabling me to achieve this goal. Apart from getting milk for our consumption, I can now earn respect our community has for the people who own one. I am also happy since I was able to increase my acreage under maize cultivation. I am now optimistic that my family will have food to last until the next harvesting season. All these two activities which were made possible through the use of the transfer make the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 a.m. when my neighbor informed me that GiveDirectly had started sending their transfers. I immediately went to our shopping centers where I had taken my phone for charging. My heart was filled with joy as I read my M-pesa message as I knew that I would be able to achieve a lot using the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a dairy cow. Buying milk has been my daily routine and it is costly. As a way of reducing my daily expenditure, I settled on buying it. We will be getting milk for our consumption after selling some when it reproduces. Also, I bought two goats for rearing. When they reproduce and increase in number, I will be selling some and use the money to cater for my children's education. I bought some decent clothes for my family and also school uniforms for my children to replace the old ones which were worn out. I used the remaining amount on farming by buying some farm inputs and hiring a tractor to till my farm.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a casual labourer in the village. My typical day involves wedding people's farms, helping with the harvests as well as sometimes fence their paddocks. At most days my wages would be in kind in the form of foodstuff. The small cash I get usually pay for the milk I take on credit at the end of the month. Receiving this money would make so many dreams come true. I am going to buy two dairy cows using my first transfer. This is going to be a constant source of income and form of savings that will secure my children's education in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three square meals a day is an ambition of most families in my village. This is often impossible for a casual labourer like me. When I set out in the morning, I would work hard to make sure I carry home for for our evening meal which is my source of energy for the next day. Having this meal together with my family makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The location of my community in the ASAL region has brought with it a fair share of adversities. Most families depend on livestock and maize farming as source of income. When we faced a severe drought last year, I was devastated to lose all my produce in the farm to an unforgiving dry season. I sold three goats, the only property I owned to cater for unlimited needs in my household especially foodstuff for the entire period. With lack of money and knowhow to practice climate safe agriculture, my worry is that I would still face the repercussions of drought in the coming season which makes my life hard.
