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 biggest difference in your daily life.
Initially, I had nothing to call an asset in terms of livestock. When I received my first transfer, I purchased the two heifers which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I am expecting them to reproduce soon and I will be benefiting from the milk that they will be producing. I will no longer be buying milk elsewhere and I will sell the surplus to earn extra cash. To me owning these heifers is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the transfer notification early in the morning. I could not believe it at first. It is until I called for my helper who came and confirmed that indeed I had money on my phone. I could not contain the joy that filled my heart and I rejoiced with my family as we budgeted on the expenditure of this transfer.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 of my first transfer to purchase two heifers to keep in my homestead. Acquiring this livestock to me are assets that I can lean on in case of a dire financial need. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because I owned nothing in terms of livestock before. In addition to this, I paid school fees for my children to allow them to continue with their studies and avoid being sent home for fees. I spent the remaining amount to provide daily food for my family. I did enough shopping on foodstuffs and also in paying for other household needs and expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Owning livestock is a dream that I have always wished to come true. However, it has been like a fairy tale to me because I do not have the money to purchase them. From my earnings I have to prioritize between food and investment where the former always win. To achieve my dream, I will use the transfer to purchase cows and goats for rearing. This will make my transfer useful because they will multiply and give me returns in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It hurts me to suffer at my age yet I have nine children who are able to take care of me. This situation has put me into depression because most of the time I think of how irresponsible they are. It worsens at night when I am less busy. However, in the morning I tend to concentrate much on earning a living as well as interacting with my neighbours. This eases my depression and it makes morning the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint has been my biggest hardship ever since I got married. This is because i was married off to a very old man who could not even work, thus reducing me to the sole breadwinner. To sustain my family, I burn charcoal and undertake any casual duty that I come across. This earns me around 500 shillings a month that is supposed to cater for all needs. Going without food is a norm in my family let alone being unable to pay school fees for my grandchild who was abandoned by his mother since he was 2 years old.
