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?
I vividly remember that day as if it was yesterday. It was around 7 when I was preparing breakfast when I heard the message notification from my mobile phone. When I checked its content, I found out that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had finally fulfilled what they had promised during the enrolment. I was so happy and started celebrating with joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I am a farmer I have always desired to own my own pair of oxen for years. But because of my financial status, I could not afford it. I am now a hopeful and ambitious farmer because I am currently in a position to cultivate several acres and in a good time. This is so promising that I will be getting plenty of yields. Previously, I could only get a few sacks because I did not have enough money to hire people to help me in the preparation of my farm. I am hopeful that my life will change completely, I will no longer strain like I used to do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as a pair of oxen at KES 20000. This has been my well thoughtful asset for so many years since I am a farmer but I could not afford it because they were costly. I also bought some iron sheets, building poles, nails and timber. This was for the construction of anew house fr my three sons since my house was very small It could not accommodate us all. I also spent KES 4000 of my first transfer on clearing hospital bills for my children. In addition, I bought some utensils, decent clothes, and sufficient foodstuffs for my family that would sustain us a month's time.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Expanding my farming is generally what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I depend on old methods of farming because hiring an oxen is very expensive and I can not afford its fee. My plan is to buy my own oxen and an ox plow using $380. This will mean early land preparation and hence, more harvests something that will solve the problem of food insecurity in my family. I am also planning to start a long term investment project and I wish to buy 5 goats at $150 which will multiply with time. The remaining amount will help me to sort out my children's school fee arrears, food, clothing, and new beddings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because it is at this time when I can get maximum time to rest from the day's tiresome activities. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours which I spend them doing household chores and looking after my goats at the bush.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a woman and the only breadwinner for the family, I have faced numerous challenges but my biggest one is the lack of a reliable source of income. I usually depend on working as a laborer in my neighbor's farm in order to get a pay of $2 per day. This has forced me to keep aside working on my farm and mostly I rarely get harvests.
