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 9 in the morning when I was having breakfast with my family when my mobile phone started vibrating so loudly. I was a bit curious and without wasting time I opted to read the contents of the messages. Upon checking, I realized that it was a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had finally fulfilled their promise as agreed. I was extremely happy and decided to share the good news with my spouse and kids. We happily celebrated since we all knew that our lives will never be the same again.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
A lot has happened ever since I started receiving my first transfers but the fact that I have goats that I am currently rearing in my homestead. For many years, it has been my desire to at least own one goat bit since they were too costly, I couldn't afford them. I, therefore, settled for the goats because they reproduce twice a year which means I will have so many of them in a short period also the climatic condition of my region is favorable for them to survive. I am expecting that by the time my children will be transitioning to high school or even colleges they will have multiplied and I will not have to struggle to clear their fees. This is because I will sell their offspring and cater for the fees and all other household basic needs like foodstuffs. Therefore according to me owning the goats will be a relief because since I rely on odd jobs to cater to all the needs of my six family members which has never been easy at all. Most of the time my children would starve as a result. This, therefore, makes me believe that having the goats will transform my life and that of my family positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying several building materials which include; iron sheets KES 18600, building poles KES 7000, nails at KES 3500, and the labor costs KES 10000. I had intended to build a rental house in the trading center and this will now be my source of income since I have been depending on casual jobs for all that time. I am so optimistic that this project will transform my life positively. In addition to that, I bought four goats at KES 12000 which will now serve as the living assets that I can rely on at any time. Also, I cleared school fees for my two children who are in primary schools and I am happy they are studying peacefully with fewer disturbances. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy foodstuffs for the family and cater for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a carpenter by profession and this job feeds my family. Currently, I get less revenue from my job KES 3000 per month. Most customers need ready-made furniture and I can not provide for their needs because I don't have a furniture workshop. Receiving this money I will open a furniture workshop to contain customers who mostly I don't attend to them. This will help me get more revenue to sustain my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a carpenter, I can go two months without an order. Last month was the happiest part of my life because I got 3 orders to make beds. This made me clear all my debts and buy food to last one month.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I desire to sustain my customers when they want my services as a carpenter. I can go for more than 2 months without getting customers and this challenges me to feed my family. When I get customers l am unable to attend to their needs because I don't have the capital to buy the required materials. This makes me look for alternative jobs to provide for my kids.
