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 exactly 2 PM when I was from the hospital when I had my phone ringing very loudly. Since I am illiterate, I asked my son to check out the contents of the messages. On checking, he realized that I had received my first cash transfer from Segovia Technology. I was overwhelmed with joy knowing that all my problems will finally come to an end. I had to inform all my family members about the good news and they all started celebrating the blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I will talk about is the fact that I now have a good number of goats on my homestead. I opted for the goats because they mature very fast and their pastures are readily available in my region. Currently, two goats have started reproducing and I am now hopeful that I will have many of them within a short period. Once they increase in number, I will sell one or two and send my six children to school. The issue of paying fees on time was the major challenge that I have been experiencing. I have been depending on casual jobs to raise my kids which has never been easy. Having the goats is an assurance that I will never strain when meeting my family's basic needs like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a mattress and a bed at KES 17000. Initially, I used to sleep on the traditional beds and sometimes on the floor where I used to experience lots of pain. Also, I bought six bags of cement at KES 4200, and two wooden windows at KES 16000. I had intended to renovate my son's house which was not in a good state and almost collapsed. In addition, I bought four chickens at a total of KES 1200 and four goats. These have been my well thoughtful assets but I could not afford to purchase them using my cash. Later on, I bought a solar panel which has been of help, especially at night, and charging our phones and those of my neighbors at a fee. With the remaining amount, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source of income for my household. I have desired to invest in livestock because it is the only way I can save my money to earn a profit when I sell them after they multiply. I therefore intend to start with 6 goats that I will cost me KSH 20000. I will further spend KES 30000 to start a grocery, in this iam assured of getting estimated profit of KES 300 per day. I will also spend KES 20000 to buy a bed and mattress to avoid the cold floor. The remaining amount will cater for other family expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I will be lying to say that iam happy. However the fact that I sleep and wake up healthy of body and sound, makes me joyous.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial struggles have really weighed me down. This is because iam the solely bread winner for my family of 3. The little I get from my charcoal business is not enough to cater for all our needs like food.
