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?
GiveDirectly transfers came at a time when I was just home doing normal house chores as I did not have a job at that time. I was cooking the day's house meals at around 6:00 pm when the transfers came to my phone. I had always wished to have some livestock in my compound and my dreams came true when I received the transfers. My husband and I were so happy because our compound would now become a home as the livestock we've always dreamed of buying would minimize a lot of costs for us
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 am now busy as the livestock we bought have been able to provide milk for us and our neighbors unlike before where we used to buy milk from our neighbors. I have also managed to constantly take them for grazing unlike before where I had no work to do at all.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When the transfers came we now had to wait for the market day in our village so that we would get the best of the best and at an affordable price. When the market day reached my husband and I managed to use Kes 30000 to buy two dairy cows which was the highest amount we spend. We also used Kes 5400 to buy two sheep, kes 4500 to buy a mattress that now enabled us to sleep comfortably. I am also happy that I was able to clear my child's school fees arrears and also buy clothes and food that we did not have at that time
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
During rain season I always hire an ox and a plough to prepare my land, it normally costs KES 1,800 per acre. Receiving this money means I will buy an ox at KES 25,000 and a plough at KES 8,000 and use it for my use as well as hire it to my fellow peasant farmers. The profits realized through hiring (plough and ox) I will use to cater for my daily family expenses such as water and food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My marriage life has been enjoyable despite all the challenges we are facing, my husband and I have not had any wrangles and if they occur we settle them smoothly.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food. I have no job and my husband is an alcohol wine tapper who earns KES 400 on a good day and he also stays away from us which means the money has to be split into two-for his use and for our use. The prolonged drought also worsened the situation and putting food on the table has been difficult.
