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Maxon

Country:

kenya

Occupation:

Small business

Age:

Campaign

Kenya Large Transfer

Upcoming Stage

Next Payment

Follow to be updated on Maxon's next check-in.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

18240 KES ($141 USD)

1 month ago

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

While I was at Kiserian, busy negotiating the price of a goat since I trade in livestock, I received a message at around 3 p.m. I quickly checked my phone and saw that the money had come from GiveDirectly. In that moment, I felt incredibly blessed and excited. I only had enough capital to buy two goats, but with the extra money, I was able to buy two more, making a total of four goats. I was overjoyed, knowing that my business had just grown in a way I hadn't expected. I couldn’t wait to take all four goats to the market the next morning, feeling confident and proud.

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.

Before receiving the transfer, I only had the sheep that were given to me as a wedding gift, and I didn't feel like I truly owned enough livestock of my own. However, after getting the money, I was able to buy more sheep, which made me feel proud because now I have something that I personally invested in. Adding more sheep also means that they will multiply, giving me more animals in the future. This has brought a sense of security and confidence, knowing I can build my own wealth. The difference is now I feel more in control of my livestock, not just relying on gifts. It's a big step forward for me and my family's future.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

After taking my goats to the market the next morning, I was pleased to see that I made a profit of $10 per goat. The success of that sale encouraged me to invest more in livestock, which is something I am passionate about. With $150, I decided to purchase three sheep, not for immediate resale, but as a long-term investment. I believe in the value of livestock farming, especially with sheep, because they multiply easily and don’t require as much attention as goats. In our area, we have plenty of farmland, making it ideal for keeping sheep, and I see them as a future safety net for my family. Livestock farming has always been a smart choice for me, particularly when thinking about the future. Sheep can provide income when needed, and knowing that I have something to fall back on brings me peace of mind. Additionally, with the floods that recently destroyed our farm, I’ve realized how important it is to have different sources of income. That’s why I’m committed to continuing my livestock business, as it gives me hope even when other things go wrong. Finally, I used the remaining $30 to buy food for my family. Our crops were swept away by floods, so food has been a challenge for us recently. With five people in the household, it's important to keep everyone fed, and this money came at the perfect time. I’m grateful to have a stable way to provide for my family through both farming and livestock trading, with my wife by my side helping me in all the work. The future feels more secure now, knowing we are building something sustainable.

Enrolled

4 months ago

What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?

As a family of six, we currently reside in a cramped one-room house, which is increasingly challenging as our children grow. Our lack of space means we cannot accommodate visitors comfortably, and privacy is becoming a luxury. Despite my desire to expand our home, financial constraints have prevented me from doing so. All the profits from my livestock trading business goes towards feeding my family and covering school fees for my children. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon with anticipated transfers coming through. I am determined to spend $800 from these funds towards expanding our house, envisioning a more spacious and comfortable living environment for us all. Additionally, I plan to invest the remaining funds from the transfers in purchasing more goats. This investment not only secures our future income but also represents a step towards achieving greater financial stability for my family. These plans give me renewed optimism for our future, ensuring we can improve our living conditions while securing our livelihoods.

What is the happiest part of your day?

To support my family of six, I turned to livestock trading as a reliable source of income. Buying and selling goats and sheep from our local market has not only sustained us but also allowed us to weather the recent challenges. With our farms devastated by floods, this business has been a survival, ensuring we have enough to eat and enabling us to cover essential expenses like clothing and school fees without worry. The past six months have been a testament to the resilience of this venture. Despite the setbacks of natural disasters, the livestock trade has not only provided financial stability but also a sense of hope for the future. It is heartening to see how this decision has positively impacted my family's well-being during these difficult times.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

Farming in our area is a mixed blessing for my family of six. We rely entirely on it for our livelihood, but it comes with its share of hardships. Natural disasters like floods and severe droughts often set us back, ruining our crops and causing financial strain.Three months ago for instance , the maize I had sown on my 1acre plot was all washed away. Accessing markets is another big challenge; the roads can become impassable, making it difficult to sell our produce and sometimes leading to losses. It is truly disheartening to see our hard work go to waste because of these issues.