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 still early in the morning as I was enjoying a cup of tea when I received a message notification on my phone. I decided to read it and know its contents and it was at this time that I knew that GiveDirectly had sent me the promised money. I became so happy upon realizing this and I immediately informed my spouse who was equally overjoyed upon hearing the good news. Receiving this money gave me hope that I would be able to pay school fees for my son on time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my family nowadays has clean water for domestic use. This has been possible since we were able to purchase a water tank using part of our transfer. Because of this, I am certain that my family members will not be falling sick frequently due to contamination from dirty water. In addition, I am happy that my spouse will no longer be going to the river to fetch water like she used to before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My wife has been having a difficult time going to the river to fetch water for domestic use since apart from being old and unable to do strenuous activities, the river where we fetch water is a bit far from where we live. Because of this, we were at times forced to hire a motorcycle to help us ferry water from the river. Upon receiving my transfer, I decided to spend KES 20000 to buy a water tank with a storage capacity of 3000 liters so that I can be using it to harvest rainwater for domestic purposes. Also, I spent KES 10000 to pay school fees for my son who is in form three since I did not want him being sent back home, KES 18000 to buy a heifer as an investment that I can later use in paying school fees for my son when he finally joins college. Using the remaining KES 6000, I bought some foodstuffs for my family as a way of celebrating GiveDirectly's impact on our lives.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am no longer able to do casual jobs to earn a living due to my old age. When I receive this money I will buy a dairy cow at KES 30000 to enable me to earn income through the sale of milk. I will also purchase a plastic water tank at KES 20000 to enable me to harvest rainwater thus saving my family with perennial water shortage. I am having school fee arrears KES 10000, therefore I will also use the cash to clear arrears to enable my child to study peacefully without being sent to collect school fees balance. The remaining KES 30000 will go to renovating my house and build a new kitchen.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Late in the evening is the happiest part of the day, this is the time am done with my daily chores (herding). I would spend my time with my grandchildren telling stories as we wait for supper.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food shortage and hunger have been the biggest hardship I have experienced. Maize is no longer productive in my area and now that I am old I rely on farming to provide for the family. At times we borrow food from our neighbors or even skip meals.
