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 in the morning when I learned I had received my first transfer. My heart was filled with lots of excitement because I knew I will finally be able to fulfill all my g]heart desires that I was not able at my own cost.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life so far is the fact that I now have a complete pair of oxen and an ox plough. Initially, I used to own one ox and I had really been yearning to have the full pair but all was in vain. This is because I had inadequacy money to purchase it and an ox plough that would support in cultivation and increasing food productivity at home. I have been hiring the other ox from a friend which was a bit costly considering I never the ox plough as well. Sometimes I was forced to use my own hands because I did not have the required amount of money to hire it. Therefore it a relief because I will no longer be hiring from a friend and this is a promising of getting adequate harvests. Courtesy of GIveDirctly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying an ox at KES 14000. This was specifically to help me in my farming activities. I also bought an ox plough at KES 10000. l then cleared a hospital bill for my spouse who has been unwell for years now. In addition, I cleared school fees for my son who is in secondary school so that he could study without any disturbances. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Supporting my son's education who is in form 3 now has been my biggest ambition. Currently, I am facing a lot of challenges in paying his school fees because his father is sick and we mostly spend money on paying his hospital bills. My plan when I receive the cash grant from GiveDirectly is to pay the school fees and I intend to use $150 to clear the arrears. The remaining amount will help me to buy 2 indigenous dairy cows that can multiply with time and I also plan to buy an ox plough since I already have an oxen to help me upscaling my farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I usually get maximum time to rest from my busy day. Unlike in the day time when I am busy doing my household chores in the morning and the charcoal burning in the afternoon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income to support the needs of my family has been my biggest hardship. Currently, my husband is surviving with a catheter and can no longer work to support the family. This has forced me to depend on my 3 sons who are doing casual jobs and their income is unreliable something that forces me to engage in charcoal burning as my alternative source of income, a job that drains much of my energy and it's low paying.
