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 extremely excited if I am being honest, because the message came early in the morning at 8:00 am and I was just from waking up and still trying to figure out whether I could even afford to have a meal that day because I did not have a penny on me. It was literally heaven sent that day and I could not help but feel so emotional and very grateful since I had almost even forgot that I had signed up with the program. The next people I shared the great news with included my mother and grandmother who seemed to also have been amused by the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Honestly speaking with the money I received from GiveDirectly as mentioned earlier with purchasing the livestock, during the rainy season I will manage to plow the farm and in turn have farm produce and food that will help in nourishment and sustainability for my family. My husband also managed to finish driving school and thus helped him acquire a skill that in the long run, after he gets a job as a driver will aid in supporting our family. Also my cooking helps me earn some money in a day and I can also save the money for a rainy day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After getting the transfers I managed to purchase two cows which approximately cost thirty thousand kenyan shillings. I opted for the livestock because they would aid both commercially and domestically which involved me selling the milk and helping me in plowing the farm during the rainy season respectively. I also bought hay for the cows since at the moment we are experiencing drought and I wanted to make sure the cows were well nourished so as they do not pass away and this fetched for five thousand kenyan shillings. In addition, I also helped my husband finish his driving classes tuition which cost almost fifteen thousand kenyan shillings and catered for my daughters school fees which accumulated to five thousand kenyan shillings. Lastly I opened my small business which involved cooking which helps me earn a living day to day for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Good shelter for my family has always been my priority but lack of money has been a hindrance. Receiving this money therefore means I can now fulfill that. I plan to use 300 USD to build a two roomed house. This will help accommodate my family of two children and visitors as well.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. My jobs are very physical and therefore tiresome. At the end of the day I am usually very tired. Evening comes as a relief since I get time to relax and plan the next day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life here in the village is very tough. This is because there are limited sources of income. Depending on farming has been hard because of prolonged drought. This has resorted to looking for casual jobs and selling charcoal. Casual jobs are hard to find while charcoal selling involves a lot of work with less money. In a week, I get as little as 10 USD after working tirelessly. This is barely enough to satisfy all needs like food, good shelter, clothing and school fees. Little income to satisfy the family's needs is therefore my biggest hardship.
