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 from visiting my mother at around 6 AM then my phone started ringing. This was a notification that there was a new message. Without wasting time, I decided to check the who it could be. Only to realize it was an mpesa from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with joy because I knew I would achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a full pair of oxen has enabled me to save on the money that I used to hire the other ox or pay workers to help me plow my farm. Initially, I used a lot of money to facilitate plowing in my farm. At times I was forced to get into debts to be able to employ workers to help me with farming because hiring the other ox was costly. Now that I have acquired the other ox, I will be able to save on my farming expenditure and I can use the transfers on investment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying an ox at KES 15000. This is because previously, I used to own one ox which I could not use it in ploughing my farm since they have to be two. Therefore I used to hire from a friend which was expensive. I also bought some beddings such as a mattress, this was to replace the old one which had worn out, I could not sleep comfortably. I then cleared the hospital bills for the medication of my son and unfortunately, he passed on. I then bought some new clothes for my children and I. The remaining amount, I paid school fees for my daughter who joined the school this year.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a Safe and comfortable house has always been my desire. The one that we currently live in is in an unpleasant state - its roof is leaking and every time it rains, we are forced to seek shelter elsewhere. Its walls are also shaky. Receiving this money will enable me to put up a semi-permanent one and it will ultimately save me from the hustle and worries of having to repair it every year. I will also put part of the transfers in livestock rearing. Our region does well with livestock raising especially the indigenous ones. And that is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is the time when I rest after the day's work. It is also that moment when I enjoy the company of my friends.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a palm oil extractor, we depend majorly on enough rainfall to get robust harvests. However, with prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, it has been extremely difficult to make any reasonable income from this venture. Accordingly, this has affected my family, in that, their needs are not adequately met. And because there are no alternative sources of income, constant financial constraints have been the order of the day.
