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?
It was around 8 Am I was taking my breakfast. I decided to check my phone as usual. Little did I know there was message from GiveDirectly. When I saw the message I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. This was one of the happiest morning I have ever had. I knew I would be able to purchase a heifer. I have always wished to own a dairy cow but I did not have the money. I went and withdraw the money the following day and plan on how to spend it with my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being in a position to purchase a heifer is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I always buy milk from my neighbors and it is so costly for me. I do not have a continuous source of income and incurring this cost daily was very hard for me. I depend on casual jobs and small scale farming. This two activities earns me small income and I was not in a position to purchase a heifer. I have other basic household items that needed to be sorted out immediately. Currently I have a heifer and I know in the next few months when it reproduces I will get enough milk. I will cut the daily cost of buying milk and save the money that will have used to buy milk for other basic household items. I will sell the extra milk to earn an income to meet other basic items for my family. GiveDirectly has given me hope and enabled me to fulfilled my dream. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards to be much better. I will improve the dairy keeping project to another level.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 on purchasing a heifer. I buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I will cut this cost when it reproduces in the next few months. I deposited KES 15,000 and purchase a motorcycle on hire purchase. This earns me an income daily and I'm able to meet my household basic needs. I pay an installment of KES 400 per day. I will try my best to complete the payment and be in a position to own it fully. I spent KES 9,000 on purchasing a cooking gas and a radio. The rest of the money I spent on food and household items. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of four children. My parents gave me a smaller potion of land to build a house that we have been living. Since it is within the compound where we have been surrounded by other siblings, life has been full of disputes. My brothers have been pushing me to leave since in our culture women are not supposed to be part of the share of the land. Receiving this money will mean a relief to me and my children. I intend to purchase a piece of land that will cost me KES40,000 and build a 2 roomed house at a cost of KES.70,000. This will greatly bring more comfort in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last 4 months, I have been able to recover from the condition that is currently affecting me. I was diagnosed with epilepsy three years ago, and it has been on and off. Nonetheless I had to continue struggling in providing food for my children. Five months ago,I managed to get one of herbalist who treated me at a fair cost. Fortunately it is now three months ago and I have not had any problem. This gives me a reason to smile and restore hope in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently the main challenge I am going through is comfort with my children. Whenever I want to progress in terms of investment my siblings have been in the fore front of sabotaging my plans. I have been having several questions from my children and over this I have had sleepless nights. This transfers from givedirectly is going to impact my life and really happy about it.
