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 still on my bed at around 6 AM and my children were preparing for school. Then I heard my phone ringing. I had to call my daughter to help to check who it could be. Only to realize it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly I could not hold my joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life that I can mention is the fact that I now own a dairy cow. This is what I have been yearning for a long period of time to keep in my homestead but I could not afford it because of the financial difficulties. I am so hopeful and happier that very soon it will reproduce and they will multiply. Apart from that, I will be getting milk for free which I will be selling it to my neighbors and also for my family consumption. The money that I will be earning from the sale of the milk, I will save it and start some other businesses and also paying school fees for my children. I will also be able to cater to meet my family's basic needs with ease unlike before whereby I used to struggle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials such as some building poles, iron sheets, nails, and timber. This was for the construction of a new house for my children, previously they used to sleep at their grandmother's house which was also small. This was so hectic. I then cleared school fees for my children who are college. In addition to that, I bought a dairy cow as an asset which I can depend on in case of an emergency. Apart from that, I bought a solar panel which is now providing me with light at night and besides that charging my phone and those of my neighbors at a fee. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying some foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Securing a better future for my children has always been my greatest desire, but financial constraint has made it difficult to attain. At the moment, I have 2 children who failed to proceed to the secondary level because of a lack of finances, and as a parent, it frustrates to see them not being able to accomplish their dreams. A better education is the only way for every child especially those from disadvantaged communities like ours. Receiving this money, therefore, will enable me to further their education and make their dreams come true. And to achieve this, I intend to enroll them in a vocational training college where they will get equipped with the necessary skills that match the current job market. Additionally, I intend to invest the remaining money is livestock raising which will serve as a future investment plan, and that is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. It is normally a nice feeling to finally rest having accomplished the day's activities. As a casual laborer, my day is always packed with activities, from caring for the family in the morning to going out to the farm. By the time the day is ending, I'm already exhausted.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My inability to adequately provide for my children's needs has been the biggest hardship in life. Coming from a polygamous household, and husband being a casual laborer, it is extremely difficult for him to sustain all of our needs and as a result, oftentimes we are forced to fend for our kids by engaging in menial jobs. And because such jobs are hard to come by, most instances we fail to constantly earn a daily wage - consequently, our children's education and food security are not sustained. Sometimes getting even a single meal is a real struggle and this has had adverse effects on my children's advancement in life.
