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 was in my house relaxing while chatting with my son after completing my morning chores when received the message of my transfer. Being illiterate, I passed the phone to my son who confirmed it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy after receiving the transfer that would change our life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in daily life is the I am empowered and leading a comfortable life after fulfilling the desires of my life. Through the transfer, I was able to connect tap water to my house. I no longer have to walk a long distance to find water for my family consumption which is tiresome. In addition, I will be able to earn a living from the selling of water to my neighbors at cost of KES 10 per 20litres. With this income, I will be able to pay water bills and set aside some amount for my daily basic needs like food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My health condition is deteriorating due to old age, I am no longer able to travel long distances to get water for the family use. I have desired to have tap water connected to my house so that I may have a steady water supply for the family. I spent KES 20,000 on purchasing a 3000litres water tank for storing enough water for myself. In addition, I purchase PVC pipes and a meter gauge for KES 12000 to connect water to my house. Furthermore, I am planning to start small irrigation farming with the excess water to grow vegetables like kales, tomatoes, and spinach. Lastly, I will be able to sell water to my neighbors to earn a living. I used the remaining amount to construct a latrine, this is because we were using the forest which pollutes the environment and is risky especially at night due to dangerous reptiles like snakes.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means enough water supply for my family and for business too. I'm planning to use 600 dollars to buy a water storage tank both for domestic consumption and for sale. I'll use the balance to start a chicken rearing business. I'm planning to start with 50 chicken. I have been in love with the chicken business due to the ready market within the locality. The profits from selling water and chicken will serve my family well. I'll use the money to open small businesses for my two boys so that they can be independent too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend a better part of my day in the farm. Evening becomes the happiest part of my day because after spending the entire day farming, I use the evening hours to take a rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life is lack of enough money to sustain my family. My two boys are jobless and are dependent on me for their daily needs. We solely depend on subsistence farming, a non-profit generating occupation. This has made our life miserable.
