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?
While cooking supper at around 9pm, I received a message in my phone. Since I can’t read and write, I requested my helper to check the message and see what it was all about. This is the day I spoil my cooking. The message was so touching, I felt like a piece of ice has been placed on my heart. I was filled with joy to an extent of forgetting that I was preparing some meal. The meal I was preparing burnt out but I didn’t feel the pain due to what caused it to burnout.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that is vivid in my life is that, initially before GiveDirectly came, I was sleeping on the floor, on boxes and rugs because I couldn’t afford to buy even a traditional bed and a mat due to the financial position I was in. as at now, I feel the difference because I sleep on a nice bed and a good mattress, something that I hadn’t dream of before. This is because of GiveDirectly who came to the ground for my rescue. I am very grateful for this organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I thought of was a bed and a mattress. Initially I was just sleeping on the floor with no bed and the bedding were rags. In that respect, I bought a nice standard bed and mattress for KES 8000.00, I also bought two sacks of maize for KES 6000.00 to ensure food security at home. Thereafter, I paid KES 4000.00 school fees for my 5 primary school children. Looking at my home, I felt it wasn’t complete without some livestock; so I bought five goats for KES 12500.00. For the remaining amount I thought it prudent to save it for the future is unpredictable.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better education for my children. Currently, I have two kids in secondary school with few balances amounting to KES 25000. This will help me clear all the school fees and give them ample time to study. I will also buy ten goats as an investment for my family. The second transfer I will buy myself a bed and buy food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I rear cows and goats in my compound, with the drought all my cows succumbed. My goats are my only joy they are healthy and last month six of my goats were delivered. There is still hope when I see them increasing with the current environmental situation.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Drought has hit my place it's been 2 years since we got rainfall. Trees are wilting we cannot cut them for charcoal. Cows are starving because there is no grass to eat and no water to drink. I had invested in buying 10 cows and am only left with one as of now. This has brought me back to square one without any investment.
