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 was alone at home at that moment and could not inform any member of my family till the next morning when I called my husband and shared the news before proceeding to the nearby shopping center to withdraw. He was very excited and promised to be home that weekend for further alignment with the plans we had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the plentiful provision of milk from the dairy cow I bought and abundant food stuff for my family of five after spending a considerable amount on buying enough foodstuff. I am grateful to GiveDirectly and hope to do a lot more in changing my our living standards in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the excitement we had with my family over the receipt transfer, I was very determined to accomplish all the set plans after collecting the money. We had a lot to do but had to first spend KES 30000 on a lactating cow that has since provided us with enough milk and cut the cost of daily purchases from the neighborhood. I am glad that my three children are enjoying at least a glass of milk daily, unlike in the past, when they would go for a week without taking it. I also spent KES 16000 on buying two sacks of maize for the household foodstuff and spent the remaining amount on clearing school fees arrears for my two children currently in primary school. The transfer has brought a lot of transformation to my household and given us another chance to redesign a better future.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved shelter. We live in an old and leaking roof house. This house host 7 family members. Living under one roof with teenage children is uncomfortable and some have to sleep in our relative's houses. So when I receive this transfer I will spend KES 30000 to build a spacious iron-roofed house. My children can then have a place to sleep and for the remaining amount, I will purchase a dairy cow that will be our source of milk and income when we sell the surplus.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On our small farm, we planted maize and the yield is good I will be harvesting in one week. This has brought joy and happiness as we are about to kick out food insecurity in our family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is food insecurity. We are casual labourers and getting those casual jobs is a challenge. When I am lucky to get a job I am paid KES 100 or given food staff worth the amount. This is usually not sufficient to feed my family and sometimes we are forced to have one meal per day. This is so disheartening since I have young children who do not understand the situation we are in.
