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?
words cannot express the immense joy that I felt when I received my transfer, it was like a dream come true, I was busy at the farm when I heard my phone vibrating loudly, upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received a sum of KES 55,000, I am so happy for the support that brought so much happiness in our lives, I knew that with the transfer I will be able to accomplish the plans that I had, I am grateful for the support that gave us hope in life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have managed to accomplish so much that I never thought that I would have achieved in a short period, in that, I bought a dairy cow meaning that I would be able to save up on the cost of buying milk daily. I am also happy that I was able to clear school fees arrears for my son, Lastly, I was able to stock up enough foodstuffs in the house. I am so grateful for the support that I was given.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer in the village, For a long time now I have been buying milk for our daily consumption which is very expensive for us due to unreliable sources of income, Therefore, I decided to use my first transfer in buying a dairy cow worth KES 35,000. In addition that I bought 2 bags of maize at KES 6000. Lastly, I paid the school arrears of KES 7000 for my son. I am humbled and happy that I was able to accomplish so much within a short period, my children are happy now that we own a dairy cow. The support that I got from GiveDirectly lifted my life to a higher level and I am thankful for it,
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have the desire to own a bigger piece of land. When I decided not to get married, my brother gave me a quarter piece of land to live in. It only accommodates the house and a small section remains where I only plant vegetables. In order to plant maize, I always lease from my neighbours 1 acre at KES 3,000 per year. I plan on using the transfer to purchase my own piece of land. This will see my dream of being a farmer come to pass because I can plant anything I want at my own convenience unlike when I hire, the owner gives me conditions on how to use it and the period is restricted.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On a normal day I leave the house at 8.00 AM to go and look for work to do at my neighbours farms. It is mostly seasonal and when I get work to do I feel good knowing that my children will have something to eat that day. After work in the evening, I pass by the shopping center to buy food stuff to go and prepare a meal for my family. This makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life. I am a single mother of four, and I raise my children alone from the casual jobs that I do in other people farms. I earn KES 200 when I get work to do, this is little and very unreliable. It is hardly enough to cater for all the basic needs such as food, clothing and education. Sometimes we sleep on an hungry stomach. This hurts me a lot as I do not have any other option as a source of income.
