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 at the field looking after my goats that morning. At around 10am is when I received the transfer. I felt very happy seeing that GiveDirectly have honored their promise, hence I felt like taking the goats back home so that I start planning about the money only that they would disturb me because they were still grazing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially things were not moving well. Living without my wife was so challenging. But as at now things are moving well. Also sleeping on sacks was very tiresome and pitiful, but as at now things have changed because I have a mattress and I do sleep well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having been living alone for a while because my wife was taken back to her parents for I hadn't paid dowry for her, I set aside KES 30,000.00 to take it my in-laws so that I get my wife back. Traditionally it's a taboo to stay with someone's daughter as a wife without paying the agreed dowry for her.
My house was also leaking from the roof, so I bought 10 pieces of iron sheets for KES 12, 000.00. I also bought a mattress for KES 45000.00 so as to have a good place to sleep on. Initially I used to sleep on empty sacks.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved living standard in my household.This is because I am relying on casual labour which earns me Kshs.300/a day.This amount is not enough to cater for all my basic needs and as a result I find it difficult to live a decent life.I am planning to spend Ksh, 20,000 to construct a kiosk so as to start a grocery that will earn me a regular income, Ksh. 10,000 to repair my bicycle which I use it to fetch water that I sell to neighbours, Kshs. 20,000 to buy 5 indigenous goats at Kshs, 5000 each.
The remaining amount will help me cater for dowry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.This is because I get enough time to rest.Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am out doing casual job so as to earn a living.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of regular income to cater for my basic needs.This is because I rely on casual labour such as cutting poles for building houses, fetching water for my neighbours which earn me very little.This makes me struggle to meet my basic needs.Sometimes, I borrow food from relatives, situation that embarrasses me.
