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?
It was a day full of happiness. I had just come back from my farm and was sitting at the center, enjoying my tea around 3 p.m. Suddenly, I heard my phone beep. When I checked, it was an M-Pesa message confirming that I had received the money. I became so excited, and my mind started racing with ideas about how to use it. The first thought that came to me was to lease land for farming, and I couldn’t wait to get started because I love farming so much.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am thankful to GiveDirectly for their great support. Before receiving the cash transfer, life was hard because I was struggling to meet the needs of my family. Paying for my child's school fees felt impossible, and I worried about her not having the necessary books for school. It was stressful knowing that the school year was about to start, and I didn't want her to miss out on her education. However, after receiving the money, everything changed for the better. Now, my family is happy, and I was able to pay the school fees and buy the books she needed. My daughter is now back at school, and I feel a sense of relief and joy knowing that I can provide for her future. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly for their great support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Farming has always been my main source of income, especially since I don’t have any formal job, and it’s something I truly love. With $80, I decided to lease a piece of land to plant green grams because it’s affordable to grow, requires less water, and matures quickly in two months. Given that our area is dry, green grams are a perfect crop for me. I felt confident that this investment would bring in income soon and help me support my family.I also used $50 to pay for my daughter’s school fees at a private school. Normally, I rely on farming to cover her fees, but this year was tough as I didn’t harvest any maize due to floods that destroyed my crops. Education is important to me, so making sure she stays in school was a priority. I felt a sense of relief knowing that her fees were taken care of and she wouldn’t miss out on learning. With another $50, I bought jailing wire and wire mesh to fence my farm. The goats in our area have been a constant problem, destroying my crops and making farming difficult. Fencing my land gives me peace of mind, knowing my farm is secure. The remaining $20 went towards buying food, as I sometimes depend on casual jobs to provide for my family. My wife helps with these jobs while I focus on farming. Together, we are making sure our two children are well taken care of.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To safeguard my family from frequent floods in our village, I plan to secure safe ground for them. I intend to use my first and second cash transfers to build a house so we can live happily and comfortably. I also plan to use the third transfer to pay school fees for my children, lease agricultural land, and stock food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have two daughters who are in school. I was overjoyed when my youngest daughter started school, and she is doing well along with her sister.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finance is the main challenge Iam facing because I depend on casual labor to provide for my family’s basic needs. This uncertainty means that sometimes we go to bed hungry when I can't find work.
