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?
Around 5 pm, I heard a message notification tone from my phone. I was from a casual job and was relaxing since I was so tired. When I check out the message I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDictly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I was wondering where to get the money for food. Everyone at home was so happy and we celebrated. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow and cut the daily cost of buying milk. I went and withdrew the money the same day. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I am so grateful for the support because it has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have purchased a dairy cow. I have been in a position to cut the daily cost of buying milk which is so costly. I have always wanted to buy a cow but I did not have the money. I depend on casual jobs and small-scale farming. These two combined earn me small money which I would use to meet the basic household needs. I was not in a position to save some money. Whenever I have no money my children would miss getting milk and this is so embarrassing. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I was in a position to buy a dairy cow. Currently, I have enough milk for my family. I have cut the daily cost that I used to incur. I use the money that I would have used to buy milk for other basic needs. I have devoted much of my time to this dairy project. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to fulfill my dream of owning a dairy cow. Our living standards have improved compared to previous days.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This was one of my main priorities because I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. I depend mainly on casual jobs and the money that I get through this is so small. It was so demoralizing whenever I have no money to buy milk. Currently, I have enough milk for the family and I am so grateful. I spent KES 12,000 on purchasing two sacks of maize. We did not have anything in store for the family when I received the transfer. The rest of the money I spent on clothes and other basic household items. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard to be much better than before.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have survived on-farm casual jobs since I was blessed with my firstborn in the year 2004. I had no other source of income after dropping out of school in class seven. It is quite difficult meeting my family's needs with this hardly found, low-paying casual job. The most expensive household commodity is milk since I have young children. We hardly have some for consumption since I can not afford it. I am afraid my children might get malnutrition due to a lack of a balanced diet. This cash transfer to me is a dream come true. I am planning to use KES 40000 to buy a lactating cow. This is will be an asset to take pride in. I will have an improved balanced diet for my family, an income from milk sales, and financial security from the calves to come. Thank you GiveDirectly for the support, it transforms my life better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I a single mother of five primarily depend on casual jobs to make ends meet. It's tough bringing up a young family single-handed. I have to go out each day to vend for them irrespective of my status. In the last six months, my joy has been the good health I have enjoyed all along. I have been to provide for my family since I have been strong and in good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food shortage is the main challenge am facing. I own a half an acre piece of land where I have a home state, grazing land, and a small portion for crop farming. We hardly harvest good yields due to low rainfall in our area and different crop disease. Food insecurity has been part of my family each year forcing me to spend much on food.
