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?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 8am. I was still taking my breakfast. When I heard a ringtone message from my phone. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and immediately inform my family members. They all celebrated with lots of joy. I knew I would be able to buy a heifer. We had planned on purchasing a heifer. I went withdrew the money the same day. I am so grateful for support because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own a dairy cow.
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 have purchased a heifer. Sometimes I buy milk and this is so costly for me. I depend on casual jobs and small scale farming to earn an income. The money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic household items including the school fees for my children. I had no extra money to buy a dairy cow. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow. Currently I own a heifer. I know when it reproduce in the next few months I will be able to get enough milk for the family and even sell the extra milk to earn an income to meet other household items. I will be able to cut the daily cost of buying milk which is so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled us to fulfilled our dream. Were it not GiveDirectly all this could not have happened.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to purchase a heifer at a cost of KES 28,000. I will be able to get enough milk for the family when it reproduce in the next few months. I purchased a goat at KES 4,000. This is the best investment because goats reproduce faster and helps during an emergency. I paid school fees for my children and the rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards. It's much better than before.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our area is prone to drought. For very long time, I have tried farming but all the crops soon withers after sprouting due to insufficient rainfall. We really have food shortage. So when I get this money I will buy food for my family. A bag of maize cost KES 3000. I also wish to buy goats. 2 goats is good for starter. Goats can give birth at least 3 times in a year hence multiply easily. This goats will help me when I sell them in future when I don't have money to buy food for my family. Each goat will cost KES 2000. The remaining amount i will put into savings as i still think of what to invest in.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is the time my family gets something to eat. In my family we only eat once a day due to food shortage making evening our favorite.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been food shortage. We only take meals once a day sometimes. The last goat I had I sold it to buy food for my family. This problem has really depleted all our investments. I do motorcycle taxi but the little money I get ends up in buying food and nothing to save.
