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 left my phone to charge as I did my household chores when I suddenly heard a message alert on my phone. I thought maybe they were the promotional messages from service providers and I was hesitant to check. When my son checked the messages, he informed me that there was an mpesa message on my phone. When I checked who the sender I was, I could not believe it that I had received Ksh 55000 from GiveDirectly. I felt happy as I planned on how best the money could change my living standard.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am now a proud owner of livestock because of the transfer. I managed to buy a heifer and goats that I am currently keeping on my homestead. I had some but to due to some financial difficulties, I sold all of them and since then I have not been able to own one. These livestock I bought are valuable assets that I can readily rely on in case of a financial need. My expectation is that they will reproduce and have many of them and sell the offspring to settle my financial obligations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I greatly appreciate GiveDirectly for enrolling me to uplift my living standard. I have been using a traditional bed and worn out mats for many years and I could not replace them with new ones. I did not have enough money to facilitate this. When I received the transfer, I spent Ksh.15000 and bought a new modern bed and a mattress to sleep on well. Secondly, I spent Ksh. 17500 on buying two goats and a heifer. This are living assets which upon reproducing, I can readily sell the offspring. I also spent the transfer on school fees which was KSH 4500 for my child in high school. I spent the remaining amount on doing a shopping on for my family. I purchased enough foodstuffs which would have been a challenge on buying food.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In this household, i take care almost of everything that i need to survive. I have two sons who are in mombasa but their daily earnings can not even sustain themselves. Because of that life situation, i have always wanted to have cows, goats and variety of poultry. Therefore, when i manage to have my transfer i would wish to purchase all the animals mentioned so that whenever i get into a situation of financial need then i will be in a position to handle it. With a budget of at least 45000KES, i can start the idea very well.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the end of last year, i got some well wishers who bought me some iron sheets and from that it is this house you see. Although it was built in a hurry which ended up having some holes on the roof and rains get through when its heavy but i thank God. This house gives me comfort and hope in life everyday because when i see my fellow elders in this village, some sleep in a very pathetic places. So i have a reason to smile and thank God every moment.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The hope of every mother is to see her sons succeed in life. Unfortunately my sons did not get the best education and some even dropped out of school. This has led to a very tough and stressful life for them and more specific to me since my age now can not engage in a very strenuous activities like charcoal making. Food and clothing has been the issue affecting me because sometimes i go like a day without a meal. I don't have clothes to put on and be as decent as the other women in the village, this condition really lower your self-esteem.
