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?
While sitting outside my house at around 9am, I received a message in my phone. The fact that I didn’t go to school does not prevent me from interpreting M-pesa messages. I checked at the message and realized that I had received a huge transfer of money amounting to KES 55000.00. My heart melted in joy for receiving such huge transfer at once.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
As we are talking now I sleep on a nice bed and a mattress. Initially I used to makeup very early in the morning not because I was doing anything but just to take a break from the bed which was very exhaustive to sleep on. Currently I sometime oversleep due to how comfortable it is to sleep on a big bed and a mattress.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After having a good talk with the GiveDirectly staff, I took their advice positively and implemented some of the things I had promised to do. I bought 4 goats for KES 8800.00 and a sack of maize for KES 3300.00. Considering the fact that I have been sleeping on a small traditional bed, I bought a modern standard bed and a mattress for KES 10000.00.
I also bought a 120 litres water tank for KES 1300.00 and paid KES 1000.00 for my young child school fees. The tank will aid me in storing water. Having that done, my husband took KES 15000.00 and sent it to my parents as part of his dowry and saved the remaining for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income for my family. This has been my longing, but due to financial instability, this dream has never arisen. This I plan to achieve by practicing livestock business ( buying goats and sell them at a profit of at least 1500 KES per goat). I intend to spend 50,000 KES for the start. This will generate income for my family of 5 members and enable us to live a life without many struggles. Also, the remaining about I will invest on my children's education so that they can have a bright future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of the day. It is at this time when I can harvest aloe vera and provide for my basic needs. Though it requires a lot of energy enjoy doing it. Unlike in the evening when I am tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food security has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. This is due to the prolonged drought in our area. We depend on harvesting aloe vera which takes at least 2 weeks for it to be ready for sale and 1 kilogram goes for 200 KES which is not enough to sustain our basic needs such as food. Sometimes, we stay 3 days without food.
