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 on Thursday 19th of August at 9.45 am when I heard my phone vibrate notifying me that I had received an SMS. I immediately checked the sender since I was anxiously waiting for my transfer as I had been promised that I would receive it before date 20th of August. Upon confirming that it was indeed a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly, I became so happy as I knew that my life would never remain the same again since I was planning to spend them wisely.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has never been the same again ever since I received my transfer because I have added an asset in my homestead as I was able to purchase a dairy cow. Because of this, my income from the dairy project has increased due to the increase in the amount of milk that I supply to the cooler plant. I will be setting aside part of this money so that I can use it in buying animal feeds and supplements and use the remainder in paying school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I purchased a dairy cow worth KES 45000 using my transfer as an investment that I can depend on in educating my children. When it calves, I will be supplying milk to the nearest cooler plant and use the money that I will be paid at the end of the month to pay for their school fees. Using the remaining KES 9700, I paid school fees for my children so that they would not be sent back home. I am now happy and at peace knowing that they will not be sent back home hence they will be able to concentrate on their studies.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will purchase a dairy cow (480usd) for the one I have isn't productive .The milk produced will be used for the household and the rest sold to generate income.Furthermore, I will spend 500usd to build a house and the rest spend on school fees for my son.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy in the evening for I am resting after tilling the land all day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow who solely depend on farming to educate and feed my children . I usually sell maize and milk and at times ask my son to assist in paying school fees . With the low onsets of rain and prolonged drought , the farm production has been low thus the income being low (20usd )per month. Therefore, I am not able to pay school fees for my children meaning being out of school most of the times and this has been my biggest hardship.
