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 had woken up so that I would go and ease myself and I realized that I had an unread message since I was using my phone to illuminate the way. My heart was filled with joy on reading it as it indicated that I was KES 55000 richer. I slept a happy person on that day knowing that my life would soon change for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has changed from how it was before receiving the transfer. This is because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow and due to this, I no longer buy milk daily like before. In addition, my children now have enough milk for consumption and I am sure that their health will improve since they now get enough calcium for bone development. In addition, I will be earning income through the sale of surplus when it reproduces and this money will enable me to pay for my children's school fees on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Buying milk has been my routine and I usually spend KES 40 on them I am a casual laborer doing any available menial jobs in the hood and a mother of three. Due to this, meeting our basic needs was at times a challenge to me and when I received my transfer, I spent KES 33000 to buy a dairy cow. I will be able to earn some income through the sale of surplus when it reproduces and also be able to save the money that I would otherwise use in buying milk. In addition, I spent KES 6700 on a bed and mattress since I have been sleeping on the floor, KES 5000 on clothes and the same amount on food, and used the remaining KES 5000 to purchase two three-seater seats.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been through so much suffering together with my three children ever since my husband abandoned us 2 years ago. He left at a time when we did not even have a shelter, we were living in a rented house. Since I didn't have anything to pay for rent, we were sent away by the landlord after accumulating six-month rent arrears of KES.3000. I traveled back here to my parent's home and though they welcomed me, my siblings did not. We quarreled a lot over food and sleeping space for my kids. My uncle saw the troubles I was going through and he gave me this house am currently staying in. It gave me peace of mind despite the leaky roof. I would like to buy a small piece of land for KES. 40,000 and use KES. 30,000 to build a house. The remaining I will spend on food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When my uncle gave me this house after continuous quarrels at home with my siblings when I came back from my husband, it gave me so much happiness. It was a new dawn for my life, to have my space and rethink on where I want my life to head next.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A major challenge is getting food. We sleep hungry most of the time because we do not have anywhere to grow food crops. The casual jobs I depend on have become so rare to come by, I guess because we are all facing the same challenges in this village, none of us is better than the other. If you look at me right now you can even tell that I don't look strong because I am the one who suffers more. After all, I sacrifice the little food I get for the children.
