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 am in the morning when I was checking my phone as usually. I didn't know there was a message. Immediately my son came and inform me that he has received the transfer. I gave him my phone to check to it. I felt so happy when he said that there was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I have never received such amount of money before. I sent my son to go and withdraw the money. I was so excited because I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow and cut the daily cost of buying milk.
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 bought a dairy cow. What made me buy a dairy cow is that I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. I do not have a continuous source of income, I depend on casual jobs and small scale farming. This two activities earns me a small income. The household items including paying the school fees was the items in my priority. I didn't had extra money to save so that I can buy a dairy cow. Currently I have a dairy cow and my children no longer miss to have milk like before. I no longer stress up on where to get the money to buy milk. I am able to save some money which I could have used to buy milk for other basic needs. I have devoted my time on this dairy keeping project because it earns me some money. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards. I now own a cow which could have taken quite some time to have it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 38,000 to purchased a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly because I didn't had a source of income. I paid school fees for my children in various schools they are no longer being sent home like before. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means the construction of a new house. Currently, we live in a single house which serves as a kitchen, bedroom as well as a guest room. For my family of 5, this house is too small, it gets smoky when cooking and this makes it uncomfortable for my family. In addition, there is a lack of privacy for us as a couple since we all spent our nights in this house with the children. This transfers will give me comfort and privacy because I will be able to put up a small house at a cost of KES 30000 .With the remaining amount I will buy a cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last 6 months, we have lived harmoniously with my family. Unity and love has been of utmost between my wife and me unlike in the past years. This makes me happy and gives me peace of mind .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest challenge am currently facing. I own a small quarry where I mine building stones and blocks. Mining these stones is time-consuming and tedious. I lack the necessary materials and tools to break the bigger rocks into smaller pieces. It takes a minimum of one week to fill a trailer of a tractor which earns me KES 2000. This amount is insufficient to cater to my family's needs as well as pay school fees for my two children at pre-primary school.
