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 5 AM when I heard the message notification and upon checking I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had finally debited the first transfer that I had anxiously been waiting for. I felt so happy knowing the money will transform my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life that I can talk of is the fact that I am now a proud owner of a pair of oxen. This is what I have been yearning to own since I am a subsistence farmer but then I could not afford to buy purchase them. I have been getting low harvesting products simply because I did not have better farming tools. I was always using my own hands in ploughing and the much I could till was just one or two acres. This has changed now because I am positive the pair will boost this activity greatly. In addition, I will hire them to friends and generate an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, nails, and threads. This was for the construction of a new house for my sons who have been staying at their grandmother's house because my house was small. I then bought some plastic chairs to replace the old mats that I have been using to sit on. In addition to that, I bought a solar panel which is now helping me at night and charging my phone as well. I later bought a mattress for my children. I also bought a pair of oxen as my living assets that I can depend on just in case of any emergency. The remaining amount I am using it buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education is a necessity for a better future for every child in this era. Receiving this means fulfilling my desire of providing quality education for my 6 children. Currently, my firstborn is in secondary and the rest are in primary school . I am planning to spend 400 USD on clearing fee balance of my daughter who is in form 3. Also, I will use the 170 USD of remaining amount to construct a house for my two boy who are forced to seek refuge in their grandmother's house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because I am always happy when I wake up healthy with my family. It is at this time that I get to meet my boys after they come to my house from their grandmother's house where they spend their nights.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of adequate finance to meet my desire providing for education for my children has been my biggest hardship I have faced in my life. I am jobless and I rely on my husband who is a water vendor. This job is temporary and it earns his 2 dollars on a lucky day. His income can not fully cater for the educational need of my family hence my children are always at home due to the huge fee balances. This has compelled me to live a miserable life because I feel I am not performing my duty as a parent.
