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.
Follow to
be updated on Catherine's next check-in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 Am, I was milking the cows when I heard a message notification from my phone. I stopped and checked it out who could have texted me that very morning. I could not believe my eyes it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. It was one of the happiest mornings I have ever received. My family members felt so happy too. I withdrew the money after three days. I had enough time to plan on how to spend it well. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
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 purchased a water tank. The reason why this made me feel happy is that I used to walk for a long distance to collect clean water. This was so tedious and time-consuming. We were also being exposed to water-related diseases. I depend on farming I do plant maize and beans. I do dairy keeping and I get some for my family. These two activities would earn me some small income. The money that I would get was only for the basic needs of the family and I was not in a position to save. I have always wished to buy a water tank but the challenge was I did not have the money. when I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I decided to invest in this. Currently, I no longer walk for a long distances like before. I have enough time to work on my farm and do other chores at home. We are no longer being exposed to water-related diseases like before. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend KES 19,000 on purchasing a water tank for storing clean water for domestic uses. I used to walk for a long distance to collect the clean water and this was so tedious and time-consuming. I am so grateful because currently, I have a water tank at home. I spend KES 10,000 to repay the debt that I had borrowed from a friend. I am so happy now because I have peace of mind knowing that I have cleared the debt in full. I gave KES 11,000 to my spouse to repair his motorcycle and to buy his personal needs The rest of the money I spend on food and clothes for my family members.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an accomplished project in our household. We have a house which we built 16 years but we have failed to complete it due to recurrent household expenditures and school expenses. Our last-born son graduated 3 months ago and by the time of his graduation, we were already drained financially. We have been aspiring to accomplish our project and lead a decent life using the transfer from Give Directly. We, therefore, intend to spend approximately KES 40,000 of the first transfer to accomplish it and I am glad that soon this will materialize.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Our last born son graduated 3 months ago and this is what has brought happiness to our lives. We sold almost all our cattle at the expense of their education. The burden of paying school expenses is something of the past in our household and we feel relieved. I feel I have accomplished my duty as a caring parent to my 4 children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the challenge we are currently battling with. Over the past 10 years, we have been experiencing maize necrosis disease in our region which has affected our crop production. Additionally, a prolonged period of drought is something we are facing as well. We have 1 acre of land in which we have grown maize for domestic use but due to the disease, we harvest only 2 bags of it which is not enough to cater to a family of 4. It saddens me that we have to dip into our pockets to buy food yet we have enough land.
