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.
Owning the livestock to me is the biggest difference in my daily life. I had desired to have them for long and the only constraint was the finance to buy them. However, by the coming of GiveDirectly, to me, it was a dream come true. I am grateful because I now own two cows. I know that they will reproduce and increase in number. Besides, I will be getting milk from these cows which I will be able to sell to earn cash. Secondly, I was able to acquire a motorbike which has been of a great help to us. Besides offering taxi services which we are getting some cash through it, it also helps us to carry water over long distances. We are currently facing water shortage in our area which without it then we would be forced to walk for several kilometres in search of water.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message early in the morning on my phone. On checking to confirm, it was from GiveDirectly indicating that I had received the money. For sure, I could not contain the joy that instantly filled me. I could not sleep any more as I began to plan on how I would spend this money to acquire some long term assets in my household.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 on my transfer to purchase two cows. Livestock farming to us is a good initiative only that I lacked the finances to buy them before. These, to us important are assets which can be relied upon in case of future financial hardships. I had also saved some money that I was planning to use it to buy a second-hand motorbike. The transfer topped up this savings and I was able to acquire one. Apart from it providing taxi services in our locality at a fee, I am also using it to carry water for our domestic use. We are currently facing a water shortage which has forced us to walk for many kilometres which is tiresome. Using my motorcycle to carry water has made my family's work easier.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a cook at the nearby school for quite some time now, and the passion I have gained in this sector is huge. I have also had this desire of starting up a hotel business, but the income I get from that job is not enough to raise the capital needed given that I've been the sole provider to my children for four years now after losing my husband. All the income that I earn goes to basic necessities including education. Therefore, once I receive my transfers, I will put some of the money in this business. Firstly, I will secure an affordable premise at the nearby shopping center, then purchase all the necessary equipment. Again, am interested in livestock rearing particularly goats given that they are not labor intensive and not susceptible to diseases and pests. Once all this are up and running, I will be in a better position to meet the needs of the family with much ease and that is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day. Unlike in the morning and evening where I have a lot of chores to attend to, it is at that moment when I get time to rest and bond with my peers.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The reality of life hit me hard when I lost my husband four years ago given that we depended on him wholly in everything. The thought of raising children alone was unimaginable, but the grace of God has been sufficient. I had to recollect myself and seek alternative sources of income which were again hard to come by. What followed afterward was a series of sleepless nights. Seeing my children go to bed hungry with no one to offer support worried me a lot. That was indeed the biggest hardship I've ever faced in life. Am glad now that our transfers will be in real soon. I will use them to better the situation and most importantly ensure that my children attained the highest level of education possible.
