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 6 in the evening when I was at my friend's compound when I heard my phone ringing continuously. Luckily my grandson had just arrived from school and asked him to check for me where the messages were coming from. Upon checking he realized that it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. I had finally received the cash that I had been waiting for. I was so happy and thankful for the financial breakthrough. I was certain that I would purchase the livestock.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am a proud owner of livestock more so a dairy cow and goats. This is what has been my desire to own for year's but due to my financial constraints, I could not afford it. My spouse passed on so many years ago and my elder son had to pick the role of being the family breadwinner since I am old. It has however been very hard for him to fulfill all our needs. Therefore I had to think of a perfect asset that will make all these problems come to an end. I am hopeful that with the goats once they increase in number I will be able to sell some and settle all the household bills that we have been straining in resolving. Also with the dairy cow, I will soon be seeking milk that goes for KES 50 a liter and I will be saving the money for my grandchildren's schooling. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for bringing a positive impact to my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying two goats at KES 10000 and a dairy cow worthy of KES 12600 respectively. It has been my dream to least own one goat but they were very costly. I later purchased some iron sheets and building poles for a total of KES 20000. This was intentionally for the construction of a new house for my children who have been sleeping at their friend's houses which were very far from the village we lived in. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my children and some other household items that I was lacking ie plastic chairs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means paying off my land debt. I purchased a 4-acre land for 120,000 KES 2 years ago and managed to clear for only 2. Buying aimed to plant subsistence crops so that they can produce enough food for my family of 3 after cultivation. Due to financial instability, I have not managed to clear the deficit something that hinders me from farming. I am hoping to spend 60,000 KES to pay for the balance so that I proceed with planting during rainy seasons. Other than that, I will invest the remaining amount to renovate the roofing of my house which leaks during rainy seasons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been having a leg problem for the past 2 months. This is after I fall when I was from fetching water. The leg has been disturbing me seriously to an extent that I could not walk without a walking stick. Last week I went to a certain clinic and the treatment assisted me because I was healed and I can comfortably perform my chores as normal. This brought a lot of Joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Prolonged drought is the biggest hardship I am currently experiencing. It has been 4 months without rain and this has affected me negatively financially. In a day I spend 200 KES to buy 4 jerricans of water. This is very expensive because the little coins of 200 KES I receive from my sons in a day are all spent on the water.
