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 around 4 AM when I heard my phone vibrating continuously which was no unusual. Since I am illiterate I asked one of my sons to confirm what the notification was all about. When he checked, he realized it was an mpesa message from GD. They had sent the money they had transfer as they had promised during the enrolment. I was overwhelmed with joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The dairy cow that I bought has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I have now started a business of supplying milk to the nearby local markets and in town. The business is now doing so well that, I can now pay school fees in time and also clear all the bills in the required time, I don't have to strain much like before. Secondly, the remaining few liters are for my family's consumption, my children are now healthier. Previously we used to buy from the neighbors which were a bit expensive. Thirdly I am now getting manure from the cow dung which I am applying to my farm and am assured of getting some good harvests. Previously, I used to buy the fertilizer but sometimes I could not afford which was resulting in poor harvests.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying, some new beddings such as a new bed and mattress. Since I was married, I have been using traditional beds which were very small and I was not comfortable. I then bought a dairy cow as an asset which I am planning to start a business of supplying milk to the markets and earn a living. I then bought a second-hand motorcycle for my son who has been jobless for long. He is now earning something at the end of the day. The remaining amount of money, I bought some foodstuffs for my family and some other household items that i was lacking.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Purchasing a modern wooden bed plus a mattress will be my first and best-achieved desire in my life. This is because all my life, I have never slept on a mattress that I can call mine and as of now I use a worn-out carpet as my bedding. You can imagine my children sleeping on the floor and expect them to wake up early in the morning to go to school. Their performances have been low and I have always thought the beddings they use can be the reason for this. I am so glad to learn that soon, they will spend their nights well immediately I get the cash grant from GiveDirectly. In addition, I will be able to clear their fee arrears and this will mean settling them in class and hence, better performance. My other plan was to use utmost $300 to buy 2 indigenous dairy cows that will act as my long term investment since they will multiply with time. This will give a better version to my life and generally, better living standards.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because it is at this time when I get ample time to relax from the day's activities. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am busy doing household chore which drain much of my energy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is suffering from hernia and yet he is the only source of income for the family of 11 members. With this challenge, the only work he knows is to tape coconut wine for sale and this job requires him to climb the coconut trees three times a day. I am always worried about how things might be if at all my husband's condition get worsening. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.
