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?
On getting the message alert from GiveDirectly, I quickly check it up since some neighbors had already received it and informed me. Upon confirmation, I dashed with the phone to my helpers. I was thrilled. The maize milling machine needed some spare parts. I could not wait, but withdrew the same day and bought all I needed to bring the miller to life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the revival and improved sources of income in my household after reviving the maize miller and buying a new motorcycle that is currently operational. These are an assurance of better financial security for my family of eight, as all the smaller household bills we had been struggling with are no more.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Right after collecting the money from the nearby shopping center on the same day that I received it, I spent KES 5000 on obtaining spare parts I used in fixing a maize-milling machine that had broken down three months ago. I am glad that it is now working and generating income that has been serving my family of eight with sufficient foodstuff. I also spent KES 30000 on buying a dairy heifer to add to the other dairy cow belonging to a friend. The two might increase the production of milk soon, which will not only be useful for household usage but also surplus for sale. In addition, I spent KES 9200 on foodstuff and topped up the remaining with my savings, and that enhanced the purchase of a new motorcycle that my son is currently using. I am grateful for the great strides we have taken and hopeful that the second transfer will still do a lot.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My posho mill enterprise is crippling due to inadequate capital. It earns a profit of KES 300 daily which is little. I have been thinking of expanding this business but capital has been my biggest challenge. Upon receiving this money, I will plan KES 70000 to invest in this business and maximize profit. This includes renovation and buying raw materials like maize. I have realized also that the high cost of buying milk for my family has made our life expensive. To cut this cost, I will consider buying a dairy cow with the remaining KES 30000. This will not only cut costs but help my children live a healthy life now that milk is a staple and nutritious food for children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been able to support and provide food for my family with the little income I earn from my Posho mill business. I earn about KES 300 daily from this business which helps me support my family. This makes me feel happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Providing food and basic needs for my family of eight has been an uphill task for me. I have no stable source income making me struggle a lot to put food on the table.
