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 saw the transfer message early in the morning. When I checked the contents, it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer. I felt happy because the transfer would enable me to new bedding to sleep on.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was previously sleeping on the floor before the coming of GiveDirectly, with worn out rags and mats as the bedding. It was just a rough floor which at times exposed me to the risk of some dangerous worms.I couldn't enjoy a good sleep at all, but currently I am excited to say that I bought a new mattress and a new bed to sleep on. In addition to this, I also have I livestock which include a cow and two goats that I am currently keeping in my homestead. I am expecting them to reproduce and to me they are assets which I can rely on in case of a financial problem.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 31000 the transfer on buying livestock which include a cow and two goats. My aim is to keep these livestock so that as they reproduce and increase in number, I can readily depend on in case of any financial problem. I was previously sleeping on the floor since I could not afford to purchase nice bedding. When I received my first transfer, I took KES 10000 replace the worn out mats I was using as bedding. I am now sleeping comfortably on a wooden bed and a new matress. I also spent KES 15000 to pay school fees for my grandson who is in high school. He was at home due to the huge fee arrears. He is now comfortably in school. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my household basic needs such as buying daily foodstuffs and clothing, including paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an improved living standards to me since my first plan is to spend $100 to buy a wooden modern bed and a mattress because as of now I spend my nights on the floor. I have also wished to own livestock to act as my long investment plan but due to financial criss, this ambition has never materialized. With the help from GiveDirectly, I intends to buy 7 goats at $30 each and 2 indigenous dairy cows at an estimated cost of $150 each. This will ensure me of a better future since they will multiply with time and hence to become a self-reliant person.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend the better part of my day at home since currently, we no longer work in our farms. The time I spend with my family members especially in the afternoon hours brings back to me the joy that I lost for long ever since my husband deceased. Therefore, afternoon is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Depending on my young brother to provide for me all my basic needs is something that eats up my mind, considering that he has other family responsibilities to take care of. Sometimes, I miss other essential needs and I have always felt being a burden to him because I have no work that can earn me income. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.
