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 7 pm I was preparing supper when I heard a message notification on my phone. When I checked it out I could not believe my eyes it was a message confirming that I have received some amount from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money. I immediately informed my spouse and he was so grateful and happy too. We planned on how to spend the transfer and later went to withdraw after three days.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being in a position to purchase a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me. I would spend KES 50 per day. This was a challenge since we do not have a continuous source of income. My spouse does casual jobs in the village and the money that he gets is for basic household items. There was no extra money to save so that I can purchase a dairy cow. Whenever we do not have money to buy milk my children would miss getting milk and this was so demoralizing. Currently, I no longer buy milk. I am so grateful because were it not GiveDirectly all this could have taken quite some time to achieve. I have devoted much of my time to this amazing dairy-keeping project. My children get enough milk unlike before. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard to be much better than before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 38,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk daily, which was so costly for me. I would spend KES 50 per day. Currently, I no longer spent that amount since I have enough milk. I spent KES 8,000 on purchasing farm tools. This will ease my work, especially spraying the crops on the farm and my cow. spent KES 1,000 on purchasing five hens. This is an investment since I would generate some income by selling eggs. The rest of the money I spent on food and household items we lacked at that time.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I gave birth to my baby boy 1 month ago and my house lacks the most basic needs like food and even diapers for my little child. I have not regained the energy to actively engage in anything. I was given breastfeeding diet by a doctor and it is unfortunate that I do not follow what was prescribed to me because it is expensive for me to afford. I have lost a lot of weight and I am worried that the situation might get worse. My top most desire right now is to attain full recovery and I intend to spend KES 5000 to buy essential food for breastfeeding mothers. Receiving this money would mean so much to me as it will help me buy food for my family and also adhere to my doctor's advise. This will put me on a road to recovery.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Giving birth to a bouncy baby boy 1 month ago was my ultimate source of happiness. I was even happier that it was a home delivery and I did not incur any medical expense in the process.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the main challenge that my family and I is going through. I gave birth one month ago and I still do not have the energy to go back to the casual jobs that used to earn me money. I have lost weight and this is an indication that my health is not good. I do not even have money to go for health check up together with my baby.
