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 was planning to move out to my farm for the usual chores when I received the message bearing the great news. I got so excited when I confirmed that I needed to inform every family member that we had gotten the great fortune we had been anticipating. On my trial to make some calls, it was unfortunate that they were not going through. Getting out to my farm then became so hard that I decided to take some time off to normalize with the news. I had great plans that we had listed down with my husband and could not wait to hear from him how soon we were initiating them. I really thanked God and opted to stay at home that day and resume my usual work the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After receiving the first transfer, a lot has changed in my life that I am so excited about. I managed to settle all the school's financial obligations, obtained enough household foodstuff, and the biggest difference in my daily life is the renovated house that is currently warm and comfortable enough to live in. GiveDirectly impacted a lot in my family, and we are all thankful even as we hope to soon receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the first transfer, I was happy to plan appropriately with my husband as we needed to accomplish a lot. With my family of three, we opted to renovate our old house that is spacious enough instead of constructing a new one. I spent KES10000 on buying building posts and timber useful in the renovation of the walls that were getting weak due to the raindrops splash. With the remaining amount, I spent KES35000 on livestock after buying a heifer at KES21000 and two goats at a combined cost of KES14000. I needed such an investment in livestock as we had none at all and this will help us in milk production in the future. I also paid KES4000 school fees areas for my son and the remaining amount was spent on foodstuff and other household goods.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial security for me and my household. My first priority is to get some indigenous cows and goats with my first transfer as savings for future needs such as school fees. My second priority is to start a food kiosk with the second transfer. My hope is to earn at least 400 Kenya shillings daily from the kiosk for our immediate needs like food and water.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day involves several activities like fetching over 5 kilometers away and charcoal vending. At the end of the day ,I am usually very exhausted. Evening is the happiest part of my day since it is usually my time to relax and have quality time with my family. I take time to chat with my husband who is away working in Mombasa town.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My spouse is the sole family's bread winner. This makes it difficult to get a consistent source of income. He sells water in town ,and sometimes business is not good. This has sometimes left me and my child hungry on several occasions. I have always tried to supplement our source of income with farming but prolonged drought has been a hindrance. Getting basic needs especially food has therefore been my biggest hardship.
