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 10 PM when I had retired to bed when my grandson told me that I had received my first KES 55000. At first, I thought he was kidding since he is always full of jokes but his facial expression, suggested otherwise. After realizing it was true, I was overwhelmed with joy and started celebrating with all my family members. We finally knew that we would own livestock which has been our dream.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have goats that I am currently keeping in my compound. For all those years, I have been wishing to keep them but I couldn't afford them. I opted for the goats because as compared to other domestic animals, they reproduce very fast and their offspring mature very fast. Being a jobless widow of three children life has never been easy at all. I always depend on my children for the daily meals which was not a guarantee since they did not have a permanent job. Most of the time, we would skip meals as a result. My plan, therefore, is to start a new business of buying and selling the goats once they multiply. This will now be my reliable source of income and since are in high demand in my region I am positive that this business will pick up within a short period. The profits that I will be earning will be enough to cater to my family's needs and send my grandchildren to school. I am so grateful for this huge achievement.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a fraction of my first transfer on buying three goats at a total of KES 9000. I have been aspiring to have them for years but I couldn't afford them because of the financial difficulties I have been through. Also, I bought some building poles at KES 3000 which will support the construction of a new house that is yet to be constructed. I later cleared school fees for my grandson who is in secondary school and I am so happy that he is no longer being sent home regularly like before. In addition, I bought a second-hand motorbike which is currently my reliable source of income. With the remaining amount of the money, I purchased foodstuffs for the family and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a proper house for me. Currently, I am living in a shack which is almost collapsing. My plan onces I receive this transfer is to spend KES 40000 to renovate my house. I will further spend KES 30000 of my transfer to buy 10 goats that will act as long term investment project to household. The remaining amount like cater for other household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of June, my son secured a casual job in town.This makes me happy because he has been sending me some money that caters for food expense in the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is frequent illnesses. I have been suffering from stomach aches and vertigo 3 years. I have sought medication in the different hospital but my condition has not been relieved. This has drained me financially because I have used all my savings on medication.
