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 remember very well it was around 7 AM when I was from the washroom then I heard my phone vibrating continuously. I decided to to check who might have sent the message early that morning. After checking, I confirmed it was an mpesa message from GuveDirectly. I felt happy for this financial assistance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I have been depending on the casual jobs for years I feel that having have started the hotel business brings the biggest difference in my daily life. Being the breadwinner it has never been that easy at all, especially in rising school fees for my brother. I am so glad I can now pay his fees in time and also cleared all the bills. I am also planning to save the profit that i ma getting and start anther business of a kiosk. I believe this will double my income and I will be able to cater to my family's needs without much struggle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as two dairy cows. These have been my well thoughtful assets for long but because of the financial status, I could not afford it. I believe with time they will uplift my living standards by selling milk and generate income. I then started a hotel business in the neighbouring trading centre. This is now where i am now earning my daily living. I also cleared school fees for my brother who is in secondary school. I am so happy now he will no longer be sent home for fees as he used to. I also bought some foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Our parents are no longer in good terms and they live separately something that has affected us as children. Meeting our basic needs says; education, housing, and good meals is a challenge to us and in most cases, we live a life of ridicule in the village. As of now, I suppose to be in secondary school but due to the financial crisis we face as a family, I am still in standard eight due to the many dropouts. I am a happy person in the village now because our life will never be the same since the cash grant from GiveDirectly will change our livelihood for the better. Our plan as a family is to spend the utmost $400 to construct a decent semi-permanent house because the one we currently have is almost collapsing. We will also pay our school fee areas something that will keep us in school and the remaining amount will aid in starting a small food outlet center to be managed by our mother. This will act as our investment plan to help in generating income for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because, it is at this time when we take our dinner together with my siblings. Seeing them enjoying their meals gives me the feeling of joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being the head of the family at my age of 17 years is something that has eaten up my mind for long. Imagine hustling during weekend at our neighbor's posho mill in order to get 1 dollar that can help us to cater for our needs in case our mothers fails to provide. It is a life of misery and I have always felt bad to see my friends going to school in weekend while I am busy hustling. Therefore, the lack of continuous financial support from our parents is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
