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 biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own cattle. We have never owned any livestock in my home, but now I have my own cattle that I can proudly take out to graze and keep my days busy.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was the date 11th Jan, 2019 at around 11:19 AM, I was just lying in bed when my son came to me from the garden and asked me for some money to go and knit his torn clothes. I sadly told him that I had no money at all, as I did not have any money. As we were talking and having conversations about other things, the message came in. I was filled with joy and my son was so amazed. I immediately told him that he could now knit his torn clothes. I informed my wife too, and we started planning on how to spend the transfers.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfers to buy two cows. I have never owned any livestock such as goats or cows in my home. I have always wanted to have my own livestock that I could even spend my days taking them out to graze. I was previously employed as a garden boy in a distant homestead, but my job ended. I currently stay at home looking for any available casual jobs in my village that can give me some income to feed my family. My wife is also unemployed. I am grateful to Give Directly that now I own cattle which can keep my days busy as I take them out to graze the whole day. I can also get milk from the cattle. Secondly, I spent my transfers to buy a door for my house. The door to my house broke down and fell a while ago. I have been unable to replace it as I lacked the finances. I am grateful that now we can feel secure in my home with the new door. Finally, I spent my transfers to purchase a solar panel. I bought a solar panel so we could be able to charge our phones here at home. We pay some little money to charge our phones at the local center. I can save this money that we charge our phones with, as we utilize the solar panel.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to improve my farming immensely. I own a parcel of land next to a waterpan that I have been ploughing manually to plant vegetables and tomatoes but on small scale.Now that I will be receiving this transfer,I plan to purchase two oxen and and ox plough to enable me plough a large portion of the land so that I can engage in large scale vegetable farming.This will enable me supply bigger markets like Bamba and Mariakani thus greatly increasing my income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is because I manage to wake up early before the sun gets too hot and head out to my farm to plant and water my vegetables until mid day. I feel happy because working hard in my farm gives me the assurance that I will be able to get something to take care of my family. As from midday until evening, I am mostly tired after a hard days work in the farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint has been the biggest hardship in my life.When I lost my job in Mombasa as a messenger earlier this year, I have to admit that the situation got from bad to worse. I am depended on by a family of ten and since I have no job, sleeping hungry on so many occasions and not affording to pay school fees for the younger ones has become more of a normal occurrence to us.This really hurts me because I really wish that I could give my family the best.
