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 walking home from buying food in the market when I passed by several groups of people and I could hear them talking with excitement. When I paid keen attention, I could tell that they were talking about receiving transfers and I immediately opened my messenger because I had heard message notification before. I found out that I had received the transfers and I was very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, my children were sleeping on a torn mattress and I couldn't tell how uncomfortable it was from the complains they had about back pains. I was able to buy mattress when I received the transfers and they now enjoy their nights.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I have been selling eggs to earn a living for the longest time now. Our biggest desire has been to increase our income by selling milk but we couldn't afford to buy a dairy cow from the small profit that we were getting from our business because we had other bills to pay. One of my major goal when I was enrolled in the program was to buy a mature dairy cow so that I could start selling milk in a year's time. I spend KES 40,000 of the recent transfer to buy dairy cow and the balance to buy mattress and other household necessities. I am happy that the cow is mature enough to give birth and I can't wait to start selling milk.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in my grandparent's old house temporarily because I do not own a piece of land. Having been raised by them, I have no land to inherit. Receiving this money implies my wife and two children will have a place to call home. I am joyous because eventually Give direct transfers will enable me to purchase a quarter acre of land with which I can build a house and start up poultry farming. This will ensure a constant stream of income from the sale of eggs and chicken hence sustainability.
What is the happiest part of your day?
There has been a consistent improvement in the profits I get from selling eggs in the last six months. I associate this with the neighboring villages receiving the Give Directly's transfers because it means the increased flow of money. Before it, I used to earn as less as KES 60 per day to KES 150 at the moment. This has brought me happiness and motivates me to work harder each day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I buy and sell eggs in the neighborhood to earn a living. This earns me KES 150 each day when business is favorable. Due to a lack of finances at the same time being the sole provider for my family, there is no improvement. All the proceeds I get goes into catering to basic needs such as food. If I can save some amount it could have been better as a boost in stock means an increase in sales hence more profits.
