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 7am when I heard a message notification from my phone. One of my children was at home and he checked it out. He said that it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and grateful for the because I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow. This was my biggest priority since I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being in a position to purchase a dairy cow is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly. I depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village. The casual jobs would earn me small income. I was not able to save some money because of the recurring daily basis needs of the family. Currently I have a dairy cow and I no longer stress up on where to get the money to purchase milk. My family get enough milk daily unlike before. I am able to save some money that I could have used to buy milk for other household items. I have devoted much of my time on this amazing dairy project. GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Depend on casual jobs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. Currently I have a dairy cow and I got enough milk for the family I have got the cost and I'm so happy. The rest of the money I spent on household items and food for the family. GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a dairy cow . That was my my main focus and I am so grateful because I have achieved it.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income. In my entire life, metal carving best known as "jua kali" has been my work, it is physically difficult and currently, I have hearing problems. I would like to quit this casual job to do dairy farming. Give directly transfers will see me lead a better life than now. I will purchase two lactating cows as I do not own one. This can produce an average of seven liters of milk per day which I can sell to earn KES 200 compared to the KES 50 I get from metal repairs. From this, my wife and three children can live comfortably.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A month ago, my son secured a job, which means that he will have a constant income, good enough for his family's upkeep and also us. Before then, he had been hopeless because we had used all the resources to take him to college. This brought me happiness because our lives will change.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are a challenge to us. We are growing older and we cannot do hard jobs to earn a living, forcing me to keep working on metal repairs even though it has affected my hearing. It is very strenuous and earns as little as KES 10 per item yet it is unreliable. Sometimes we completely go days without earning any money forcing us to borrow food from my brother or have one meal in a day. I find it shameful and I wish to live a better life where we can have three meals a day.
