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 looking after my herd that evening when I heard the notification on my phone and it just confirmed that I had received the donation. I was sincerely elated because I finally had the money to purchase some items I needed in my house and take care of some of my needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am more than glad that I can finally sleep on a bed after quite a long time. I never thought I would get enough money to finally buy beddings but through the funds I received, that was finally possible. My house at the moment also has proper lighting as compared to before when I used lamps.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the longest now, my family and I had no beddings so we have ended up sleeping on mats which are not quite comfortable but we had no other choice. So when I finally withdrew the funds I decided to buy two beds and two mattresses which cost me KES 25,000 but we finally had a better place to sleep. Afterwards I decided to pay KES 10,000 to purchase a solar panel so that I could eventually have proper lighting in my house, especially since previously I used lamps which were always in need of kerosene which was costly. I also used KES 2,000 to rent an ox so that it could help me till my land. Meanwhile I used the balance to look into nutrition especially because it was occasionally a challenge having a meal.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My top priority goal once I receive this money is to renovate my house and have a decent life. My house is very shabby. The roof is leaking during rains and the mad constructed walls are slowly disintegrating. I plan to use 30,000 KES to revamp my house. A house of good standards will be a source of happiness and self-esteem for me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
One of my cows gave birth to a healthy calf on Christmas day. This was one of my happiest moments, in that, the number of my livestock is slowly increasing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the challenge I am currently facing. I depend on my 6 cows for an income. I sell 2 liters of milk, making 100 KES daily. This amount is not even enough to purchase 2 kilograms of maize flour. I partially depend on my children who work in Mombasa to buy me food.
