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 8 am while taking breakfast when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was delighted and withdrew the money later that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow. This has helped reduced milk expenses because now I get a liter each day. Earlier getting milk from the neighborhood was quite unreliable at times. I had made even efforts towards buying a dairy cow by investment in a village Sacco but GiveDirectly came on time.
Secondly, the sofa set I bought can comfortably accommodate more visitors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfers, I spent KES 41, 000In addition, my salary is KES 4,000 a month which would not be sufficient to support her in her school. on a dairy cow which is now a source of milk for my family. This is because earlier I had been buying milk for close to two years at KES 40 a liter of milk. I own a barbershop which normally helps feed my family.
Secondly, I bought a three sofa set seater at KES 3,000. This is because earlier I had only one three sofas seater. This will now help accommodate more visitors at once.
Thirdly, I spent KES 4,000 on a bag of maize of which the remainder can sustain us for the next three weeks. This is because earlier I used to spend KES 8,00 on household expenses like maize meal, sugar, and other basic household. But with GiveDirectly this has been reduced to KES 100.
Lastly, I also spent KES 5,000 on the latest clothing fashion for my family which is more decent compared to previous second-hand clothes. The rest I have saved for emergencies.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
There is a growing demand for dairy products in this area and for the last 3years, I have desired to venture into this business. I work as a barber in one of the barbershops in Chebunyo Market and the much I can earn is KES 200 per day making it impossible for me to attain my dream. I intend to spend KES 30000 to buy a lactating cow and an extra KES 20000 to construct a dairy shade. Out of this, I am certain that I will get 5liters of milk every morning which I will sell for KES 50. Receiving this money will give my family financial independence from the sale of milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month there is a day I did not get a single customer in my barbershop and I was worried that I was not going to get money to buy food. Luckily my brother gave me KES 1000 to buy whatever I needed. I never expected it and this made me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Providing for my family has been an overwhelming job for me lately. I am a barber who earns KES 200 per day, and with the high cost of living this money is not enough to cater for my family's needs. Every day I have to buy milk, maize flour, vegetables and sugar. The cost of buying all these exceeds the amount I earn forcing me to borrow to cover the deficit. I do not like the culture of having people's money but I have no option other than to borrow.
