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 awoken by the loud vibration from my mobile phone, this was so strange because no one has ever sent me a message at such an hour. After checking, I realized it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy knowing I will achieve a lot
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This is what I have been longing to keep in my compound for so many years but because they were costly, I could not afford it. The goats normally reproduce faster as compared to the other livestock and this is the main reason why I settled in buying them. In the next few months, their number will have increased and I am planning to start a business of selling the offsprings to the markets and get an income since I am jobless. I will now be able to pay school fees for my children without straining like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials like iron sheets, building poles, ropes, nails, and timber. This was for the construction of a new house because the previous one was in poor condition and it was almost falling. I also bought some goats worthy of KES 10000, as my well thoughtful assets. I then bought beddings which include, a bed, a mattress, and some bedsheets. Previously I used to sleep on the traditional bed which I was so uncomfortable. I also paid the Masson KES 5000 his labor charge.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A decent house and owning livestock is basically what receiving this money means to me. As of today, I live a life of misery since the standard of our livelihood is very low especially our housing and meeting other basic needs like food and school fees has posed a big challenge to us. My intention is to spend the utmost 250 dollars to construct a semi-permanent house for my family because the one we currently have is not worthy of living. My other plan is to buy livestock especially 7 goats at $30 each and 2 indigenous dairy cows at $150 each. This will bring a big change in my life since I am sure of my desired transformed new version of life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my life because I usually get ample time to rest from my busy day. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am busy doing household chores and other casual jobs like charcoal burning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Currently, I am a housewife and I majorly depend on my husband who is doing casual jobs. His earnings are never enough to cater for our daily needs and this has forced us to live in a structure that is not worthy to be called a house. It has been a life full of ridicule in the village.
