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 at home relaxing when I suddenly heard my phone ringing. On checking, I saw a text message with a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. Words cannot explain the immense joy that I felt. This is because I knew that the transfer would impact my life greatly. I then informed my husband who was equally happy and excited. We then embarked on planning how we would spend our money wisely.
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 now own two bulls which I plan on using for ploughing our land. At the same time, I would be saving up money that I used on human labour. on top of that, I would be able to generate income for my family during planting season when I will be hiring them. I am grateful for the support that has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives tremendously.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, My husband and I opted to purchase two bulls with all our transfer money for purpose of ploughing our own land and for income generation. We opted for them because they are also drought-resistant thus easy management. Secondly, since it will be generating income, then we would be able to cater for the school fees needs of our children. I am so grateful for the support that has empowered us financially.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have deeply wanted to do hairdressing course. I finished my primary level in 2015 and up to now have not been able to acquire any skill that I can rely on. Receiving this money means using 20,000 KES to do a hairdressing course.Upon completing it I will start a saloon at Ndarako centre that will make me do away with cutting down trees to make charcoal.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I once had ten sacks of charcoal that were bought at the same time, this gave me good money. I got 5,000 KES and this brought joy and happiness to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water.The dam we are depending on for water is drying up at a very alarming rate because of the extreme temperatures and this means we will be fetching water far away from Ndarako.
I do make charcoal and currently we do not have the appropriate trees for making charcoal.We are now digging out stumps to make charcoal.