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 late in the evening when I was busy preparing supper for my family when I got a message notification on my mobile phone. I stopped what I was doing and took my phone and checked the message. To my surprise, it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I couldn't hide my joy, I felt so happy and shared the good news with my family members. From that moment, I knew that I would buy whatever I needed since I had received a huge amount of money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The income from the sale of farm produce couldn't be enough to cater to my family's needs and to buy a cow. It would have taken me longer to save enough money for buying a dairy cow. Having acquired a dairy cow at the moment I see that as the greatest difference in my daily life. Whenever I go out to look after the cow, I always feel grateful for the support which enabled me to acquire the cow.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I do farming as my main source of income and since this is a seasonal activity, there are no guaranteed returns as the crops at times can be affected by droughts
For a very long time, I have been buying milk for use at home and my priority is to acquire a dairy cow. I bought one which is about four months in calf and that cost me KES 39000. I then purchased building materials for the construction of a poultry house. I spent a total of KES 8000 to complete the structure. I also bought a sack of maize for consumption for KES 5000. The remaining amount of KES 3000, I spent on buying some foodstuffs and clothes. I am glad that GiveDirectly empowered me through financial support and now I have made a great step in life.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a single timber-walled house that acts as a bedroom at the same time kitchen. I feel that it is not suitable to be a kitchen because it runs a risk of catching fire since I use firewood to cook. The smoke that emanates from the fireplace also gives us sleepless nights. I have wanted to build another house but due to financial constraints, I have not managed to. I am a farmer who plants crops such as maize, beans, cassava, and sometimes sweet potatoes. The harvest only serves as food for my family and nothing is left for sale. Receiving this money will enable me to build a decent house for my family
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month my husband got an appointment letter from the county government of Bomet. He now works in the revenue department and as a family, we are very happy about it
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a major problem here. This is occasioned by the maize disease that affected our maize crops and we have been purchasing the commodity since then. The situation has further been worsened by the high cost of living especially in the last one month where we have witnessed skyrocketing cost of living.