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 was at my daily hustle at around 9:30 in the morning when my phone started ringing continuously. I was quite nervous and decided to check who might have sent the messages at that time of the day because it was so unusual. Upon reading, I confirmed that Give Directly has finally remembered me by sending the cash transfers they have promised earlier. I was overwhelmed with joy and I even decided to leave what I was handling and go back since it wasn't that far. I shared the news with my family and they started rejoicing for we knew finally we could now move our lives to the next level.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the transfers I was able to acquire a 2-acre piece of land. This has been my dream to own it but I couldn't afford it because it was very costly. I have been the family's breadwinner relying on burning and selling charcoal in the local markets earning KES 200 on a good day. This was enough to cater to my family which is composed of ten members. The initial land was very unfruitful and it was only half an acre. Sometimes I was forced to lease those of my friends which were a bit expensive and most of the planting seasons I could afford. All I could harvest from my farm was just one bag of 50kg maize which could only last for a month. Therefore I had to think of a permanent solution which I am so glad I fulfilled. For now, I am certain that, I will be harvesting not less than six bags every season which will be a huge relief to me and my children will never starve like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a piece of land and paid KES 2000 as a deposit and I will be paying the remaining amount in installments. Also, I bought some coconuts seedlings that I will soon start a large plantation that will serve as the assets that I will rely on in the near future. In addition to that, I bought some beddings such as a mattress KES 3500 that was to replace the worn out mats that I have been using for all that long. I also spent KES 3000 to clear school fees for my five children who are in primary school and I am glad they are now studying without distractions. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family that would at least last for two to three weeks.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future for my household since I plan to invest in education for my children. Currently, I have 2 children who are doing courses in wiring and dressing making, but I have been struggling in paying their school fees. In most cases, they have been at home due to a lack of money. My wish is to ensure the 2 children continue with their courses and I, therefore, intend to spend utmost $300 of my transfers to make them settle and complete their terms. This will guarantee my household a reliable source of income once they secure jobs. A portion of the transfers($300) will help me to construct a decent house because the one I have is collapsing. Also, I will spend the remaining amount to buy 2 indigenous dairy cows to act as my store of wealth.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because it is at this time when my customers come for the coconut wine. Since it is through this business where I get money for my family, I usually feel so much happy welcoming my customers.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a coconut wine tapper, a job that requires me to climb the coconut trees 3 times a day. This job is very tiresome yet its payment after selling the wine is very minimal, usually $3 per day. Considering the needs of my family, this income cannot sustain us, eventually, we have been skipping meals on some days and also my children have been sent out of school due to high fee arrears. Therefore, I consider the lack of a stable source of income as the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
