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?
Living in abject poverty is a situation that robbed my family's peace. We always live to worry about when we shall be able to overcome the struggles that my family faces on a day-to-day basis. I was very low financially and I did know how I could raise some money to fulfill what I did not have. Therefore, as soon as I confirmed that my transfer had been sent, I felt super excited. At that time I was in the forest looking after some goats for one of the community members who occasionally give me support when I am in dire need. However, driven with happiness, I felt like I could run back home and share with my wife what I termed, timely luck.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
From the time I received my transfer and prioritized buying a cow, my family has witnessed a tremendous change in its lifestyle. Initially, we could not only struggle to get food but also obtaining milk looked too expensive for us. I had no option but to rather buy milk in the event we need some for our household consumption. However, having a cow now, I do not need to spend money on this precious commodity anymore. As a result, I have begun experiencing a big relief. Fortunately, the family has access to free milk, one of the most nutritious food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Among my community members, a lactating cow is highly valued and any person who does not own one is regarded to be very poor. Considering my situation, I have been looked down upon by some of my family members because I never had any livestock. With the transfer, my priority was to spend KES KES 35,000 on buying a lactating cow. I am so glad that this has drastically changed my living standard as well as my status. Whenever I look at it, I feel so happy because this is an act of miracle that God has done to my family. Secondly, because I never had a better mattress and a bed, I spent the rest of the transfer to buy both mattress and a bed and currently I spend on better beddings.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will have a decent house to live in. Currently I live in a small house that is made up of 10 iron sheets. Imagine sleeping and cooking in such a small house. I am always afraid that my bedding can catch fire because I use firewood to cook and the fireplace is right next to my bed. I do casual jobs such as fencing in people's farms to earn a living and I earn KES 200 per day. I use this money to buy food for myself and other necessities. I am also a separated man and there is no one to help me. I intend to use KES 30,000 to build another house and convert the one that I live in to be the kitchen.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a very supportive daughter and although she is married and has her own responsibities, she still supports me unconditionally. Last month, she bought me food items such as sugar, maize flour and cooking fat and I was very happy that she still remember me as her father.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the main challenge that I face at the moment. I am a casual laborer and what I majorly do is reinforcing fences in people's farms to earn a living. These jobs are hard to come by and I can stay for a week just idling. This subject me to a lot of anguish because I have to stay hungry for lack of money to buy food.
