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 had woken up a little bit later than usual and as I joined my children at the breakfast table, I noticed that I had a new message on my phone. On reading through it, I was filled with joy when I learned that it was from GiveDirectly and was confirming the receipt of the first transfer. I shared the news with my family, and everyone was excited. We had a lengthy discussion as we review the list we had created before, and later visited a nearby shopping center where I collected the whole amount.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The presence of a heifer that is a potential breed to provide us with milk in the future is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am hopeful that once it gives birth, we will be able to get enough milk for our household use and sell the surplus to the neighborhood as a source of income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After spending a lot on milk for my family of five in the past two years, buying a cow was a priority to me when I received the first transfer. Even though the prices were so high during this period, I managed to secure a dairy heifer that I believe will soon be producing enough milk for my household. All along I have had to work extra hard on my piece of land and also on the small grocery business I had been doing to ensure that I get some in come that would help in buying milk. It is a relief now that I have a cow to rear with hope of cutting the expensses in the future. I also spent KES 4000 on clothing for my children, paid labor on land preparation and purchase of seeds at KES 4000, and bought two sacks of maize at KES 10000 that we are using as foodstuff at the moment. I also spent the remaining on other smaller household goods. I am grateful for this support and looking forward to the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to buy a piece of land and build a house for my family. I separated from my husband three years ago due to some disagreements and came back with my children. I was given a house to live in with my children while I planned on building mine because I vowed not to go back to my husband's place. I am so glad that if all goes well, this transfer will enable me to do so.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful for the jobs that I have had that have enabled me to provide for my parents and children. This has brought me joy because no matter how hard the jobs are, they get enough food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The major challenge that I have is having no stable income since I rely on casual jobs net my home to fend for my children and my elderly parents. The money that I earn cannot sustain all the needs that I have and I have to strain more and compromise on other needs such as building a house for my family to meet them.
