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 received the transfer in the evening; I had just come back from the farm and finished milking the cows when the transfer came in. I was very happy. After 4 days, I went to withdraw the transfer and was very happy as it would help me finish my pending projects as well as cater to our basic needs such as buying food. I am a casual labourer so I do not get enough money to execute my plans. Therefore, when the transfer came in, I was happy as I knew I could now achieve my goals and implement my plans such as building and renovating my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest differences would be that I now have a cow and maize to supplement what I have in the field. I have also been able to buy construction materials for redoing my house and have been able to make significant repairs on my house. I had not finished building my house but with what I have, I am confident that I will complete it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the transfer, I used KES 3200 to buy maize, KES 4000 to buy wood that I'll be using to build and renovate my house and KES went toward painting my how's to improve it's aesthetics. The rest was spent on daily house expenses but I was also able to buy myself a cow and a new table to fit my house. I also used part of the transfer to pay for my children's fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I pay expensively to have milk to feed my two children and I can not run away from this, now that milk is stable food for children. Owing a cow has just remained but a dream now that what I earn from my casual job is meager, about KES 300 daily which is not even enough to buy food for the family. When I receive this money I will prioritize buying a cow with KES 40000. This will help me cut family costs and save little money for my development. With the remaining money, I will give my wife KES 10000 to start her Poultry farming and KES 20000 to buy food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Providing for the family is not an easy thing, especially when you do not have a stable income. I managed to provide for my family in the past six months with a little income of about KES 300 daily. This brought me happiness and joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been crippling financially to sustain my family's basic needs. I rely on casual jobs to earn a living, I earn little money KES 300 daily which is not enough to buy us food and other family needs.
