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 9 am, I had gone to the water pan to collect water for the family. I heard about the receipt of the transfer from the relatives who were narrating how they were lucky to receive the aid from GiveDirectly. Being illiterate, I handed over my phone to them to confirm my account balance. Upon checking, I was very happy when I was informed that I had received the transfer too. I was very sure that I would transform my living standards for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Starting livestock rearing as a reliable source of income for the family is the biggest difference in my life. Previously, I was depending on charcoal burning an activity that can not fully support our needs due to the high cost of living. Also, I am grateful that my kid was able to join the secondary school after staying home for a long time due to lack of fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to start livestock rearing by purchasing 6 goats. I had desired to venture into this activity but I lacked the financial muscles to start it. This is my reliable source of income as well as a future investment for my kid's education. I intend to sell them when they reproduce to support their educational needs. Furthermore, I spent KES 18,000 to take the elder child to secondary school. It has been over 3 years since he completed primary education but I had not been able to further his studies because of our poverty condition. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for my family since there is famine in our area for over 2 years now.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband passed away ten years ago and left me with 6 children. I depend on charcoal production to cater for all the basic needs of the household. The job is cumbersome and the return is not sustainable. In a month, I earn KES 3000 which I have to spend on education and food leaving other necessities unaddressed. This has resulted in to drop in the performance of my sons who are in the third and final year of their secondary education. I will be happy when I receive the transfers because I will be able to clear their school fees and have peace of mind.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January this year, my daughter gave birth to a baby girl who was named after me. I was so delighted because she was my first granddaughter. Besides, it earns me a special status in our community.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow and solely rely on charcoal production as a means of earning a living. This is because crop farming does not do well in our area as a result of prolonged drought spells. All the income KES 3000 goes into buying food and education only. Due to this, I have been struggling to feed my family. Sometimes, my kids spend the whole day without food, hence food insecurity is still the main challenge I am facing currently.
