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 heard my phone vibrating continuously which was an alert of an incoming message. When I checked, I found out that It was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I was going through lots of hardships in my life and I have always been praying for a financial breakthrough.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having the pair of oxen is still like a dream to me, it has made my life to be totally different. Being a farmer, I am now more ambitios and happy. I am positive that the pair will be of great help to me because they will take less time in ploughing my farm compared to when I used to do it alone. This assures me of getting increased harvests since my land will be prepared in time. In addition, I will also hire them to my neighbours at a fee and generate an income that will help me to sustain my family needs without straining
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen and goats worth KES 31000. These have been the well thoughtful living assets that I have been longing to own but I could not afford due to the poverty life that had stricken my household. The remaining amount of money I am using it buying some foodstuffs for my family and some other household items that I was lacking.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means fulfillment of my daughter's dream of joining a teaching college. After finishing her studies 2 years ago, she has just been doing casual jobs to help raise her fees but now the load has been lifted. The balance, 38,000 shillings, will be used to purchase oxen and ox plough to expand our farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With the onset of rains, I spend my day between 9am and 4pm farming. It is my happiest time because am hopeful for a bountiful harvest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Limited financial resources is my biggest hurdle. When my husband fell sick six months ago, I had to solely bear the burden of providing for my family. With the little income of 4 dollars per bag from charcoal business, I can hardly afford food or even medicines for my spouse.
