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 7 pm, I was outside the house sitting with sitting with my 5 grandchildren narrating stories to each other after they come back from school. This our routines every night as we are waiting for the dinner to be ready. I heard the phone ringing and requested on of the grandchild to check it on behalf. I was very pleased and delighted when he revealed that it was the Mpesa message from GiveDirectly that I had been waiting. It was such a happiest moment of our lives celebrating for receiving the transfer. I called the helper to inform her about the receipts of the aid since she was away for work so that we could make plans on how to cash them out.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Living in a comfortable and spacious shelter with my 5 grandchildren is the biggest difference in my life. I never imagined that would achieve such a big goal in such a very short period due to my limited financial capacity. Previously, my grown-up granddaughters and grandson had to sleep in the same room something that bothered me so much. Additionally, the community members had started gossiping about it because it was taboo according to our traditions. Furthermore, boosting my goat rearing and starting poultry farming to supplement the income for the family is something that I am proud of.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase building materials including timber, iron sheets, building pole and nails. Furthermore, I set aside KES 5,000 for payment of labour costs. This was for expanding my house by constructing an addition room since it was very small to fully accommodate the 5 grandchildren and I. Also, I bought one 90kg bag of maize for KES 6,000 and other foodstuffs since we did not have enough food in the house. Lastly, I spent KES11,000 to purchase two goats and 4 chicken this was a longterm investment for the family that would support us in case of any financial emergency in the future.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Improving my son's education is the ambition that I intend to achieve when I receive this money. This is because I am old and jobless depending on charcoal production as the main source of income. It is energy-draining and due to my age, sometimes I have to risk resting so that I recharge. The earning(KES600 per week) is not enough for all the demands of the household. This has pushed me to ensure my child excels in school so that he can get a good employment that is permanent.
I am planning to spend the whole of the first transfer to clear all the school fees for his final year so that he can have adequate time for his studies. Besides, I will start livestock farming by keeping indigenous goats that do well in our area as an alternative for crop production which has failed due to little and erratic rains. As they multiply, I will sell at a profit and use the money to cater to my necessities.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In March I hosted my granddaughter and her spouse. We had not met since she got married 3 years back. This brought me joy and happiness because she is my first granddaughter and was named after me by her parents. According to our culture, a grandchild elevates you to a status that makes you earn respect and be considered in giving opinions and key decision making in the community.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was married in a polygamous set up where my husband decided to stay with the first wife and took me to his farm where I live with my 3 children. Since I do not have anyone to depend on, I have to do charcoal production to earn my living. Being old and less energetic, I sometimes I risk not to go to work but this will mean missing food that day. Therefore, I consider food insecurity as my biggest challenge.
