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 just relaxing at home after a busy day at the farm when I heard a message notification from my phone. I informed my son to check it out for me. He said that it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I was waiting for the transfer as promised by GiveDirectly. I withdraw some amount for household basic needs the same say and withdraw the remaining amount later. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow and cut the daily cost of buying milk.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being in a position to purchase a dairy cow. I had some cows before and I sold them to pay school fees for the children in various schools. I used to buy milk and this was so costly for me. I do not have a continuous source of income. I depend on small scale farming and I ran a business of selling grocery. The income that I get from this business is so small and I was not in a position to save it. I had always wished to own a dairy cow but I did not have the money. When I received the transfer I felt so happy and immediately planned on purchasing a dairy cow. Currently I have enough milk for the family. I no longer buy milk and this has enabled me to save some money to meet other household items. I have devoted much of my time on this dairy keeping project because it give me some income. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I had sold all my cows to pay school fees for my children in various schools. Currently I have enough milk for the family. I sell the surplus milk to earn an income to meet other household items. I spent the remaining money on food and household items that we were lacking. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own a dairy cow.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means buying a dairy cow. in my old age, I would like to engage myself in productive activities that are not phisicaly taxing like rearing vows. I will buy a cow at KES 50,000. I will also furnish my house and build a maize store and refrain from keeping grains in the same room as the one I live in. This will make my home more conducive.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the last for months, I have just been fighting for survival. I thank God that I always find money for household needs, even though I sometimes go without food even for a day or two. I am glad that the situation is still manageable since I am able to sell groceries and take care of my household.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of income is my biggest challenge. I depend on a small grocery business, selling vegetables and bananas in a market day that occurs once a week. The KES 200 that I make, is what I budget for my daily needs throughout the week. It is insufficient therefore I need to buy a dairy cow, which will be a constant source of income.
