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?
It was a very fine Sunday afternoon, and I was just resting at home with my children when my phone vibrated with a message. When I checked, I saw it was an M-Pesa message, but I didn’t think much of it because I wasn’t expecting the GiveDirectly money yet, having just been enrolled a week before. Later, I went to fetch water at the nearby borehole and overheard some women discussing the arrival of the money. I joined in the conversation, feeling both excited and happy, knowing that I could finally repair my toilet, which had sunk after being swept away by floods.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In my life, I never thought I could rebuild after being affected by the floods, especially when my toilet sank. I kept wondering where I could find the money to repair it, especially since I'm just a charcoal burner. Rearing four kids wasn't easy, and my husband is also just a small-scale farmer. But now, I am very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for your support. The sanitation at my home is now well taken care of.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I received this cash, I was under a lot of stress and had no peace of mind since the floods came and set us back to zero, causing almost all of our plans for the year to fail. The floods swept away my children's clothes and shoes, but the biggest impact was that my toilet sank completely, making the hygiene conditions in my compound very poor. I immediately allocated $100 to repair my toilet, and now it's restored, ending the shame of having to use the bush.Additionally, I used $40 to harvest my maize farm, where I harvested 25 bags of maize. I sold 15 bags and kept 8 bags for us to continue eating at home. The market price of maize had dropped since many people were harvesting at the same time, but fortunately, my farm wasn't affected by the floods because the maize had grown tall. With the remaining $40, I bought new clothes for my kids to replace the ones that were washed away by the water.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have always desired a constant flow of income and independence and the transfers will help me achieve that. I plan on purchasing a generator and water pipes so as to plant maize and irrigate. The other amount I will use for household needs such as food, medication, school needs for my children as well as clothing. I am happy because life will be better after the transfers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was able to farm two acres of maize this season and it brings me happiness when I see it flourishing. I sold two goats in order to purchase seeds and pay for labour and in about a months time I will harvest. I will sell some and keep others to ensure my family has enough food that can last a year.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the biggest challenge since we depend on charcoal burning to earn a living. The money we get is not enough to cater to all the family needs especially school fees. I earn $ 15 a week which cannot sustain my family of seven comfortably.
