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 looking after my livestock in the field, I received a message on my phone at around 11 am. I did not haste to check since the phone was in my hands. Upon checking, the first glance of the eye hit the figure of $550. I became keener and I realized that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. My heart melted at thanksgiving for receiving such a huge amount of money at once. Due to the happiness that engulfed my heart, I spent the rest of the day dancing in the field while grazing my livestock.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The vivid differences that I can attest to before and after receiving the transfer are the availability of food at home and the peace of mind I got after managing to build a house for my son. Initially, we could go for up to two days a week without food some that we no longer experience since receiving the transfer. Again, my son has his house now and no longer seeks refuge from friends, thus he can confidently conduct his studies as well not as before when he used to receive instructions in peoples' houses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since our area is faced with drought and it is a struggle to get some food, on the withdrawal day, I bought a sack of maize at $58 and a bale of maize flour at $23. I made these a priority because one cannot do anything constructive while on an empty stomach for some days. As of now, I am very happy with my family because we have an access to food unlike before.
Thereafter, I opted to construct a house for my son because mine was too small and congested to accommodate him bearing in mind that he is no longer a child. For a while, he used to seek shelter from friends, something that did not give me peace of mind, thus, the decision I made. I bought 70 building poles for $49, and since I already had 8 pieces of iron sheets I only added 10 more iron sheets for $75. The other materials including the contractor's labor charge were $170. Having done so, I bought a bed and two mattresses for $135 because I was sleeping on the floor on torn mats and the same situation was to my children the same. So I gave them one mattress and they now sleep on a mattress but are still placed on the ground waiting to get some money to buy them a bed too. As of now, I am happy since my children have a nice place to sleep compared to before and they no longer go to friends seeking accommodation.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means diversification of my financial sources by starting a chicken rearing business in the village. This will cost me an initial capital of KES 30,000 and with the ready market in the village, I believe I will make handsome profits. I will use the profits from this business to educate my children and grandchildren. I will later use the balance to start goats rearing business in the village.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A good Samaritan gave me 10 indigenous cows to look after. He pays me KES 5,000 every month and this has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge I am currently facing. We have been unable to harvest enough over the last three seasons and this has rendered my family food insecure. Sometimes, we go a day or two without food and this has affected my family's health.
