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 7am when my son came to say that GiveDirectly has sent the money. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. It was one of the happiest morning I have ever had. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow. I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. We went and withdraw the money the following day and started planing with my family. We are 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 heifer. This is because I always buy milk daily and this is so costly. Due to my old age I no longer do any activities. I depend on my children to support me. I have always wished to own a dairy cow. This was not possible because I do not have a source of income. Currently I am so grateful for the support because I have a heifer. When it reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk and even sell the surplus to earn an income. I will use the money to meet additional household items. GiveDirectly had improved our living standards and enabled us to fulfilled our dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 13,000 on settling the debt that I had borrowed from a friend. This was giving me restless nights, I am so happy because I have paid out and I have peace of mind. I spent KES 18,000 on purchasing a heifer. I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. When my heifer reproduces in the next few months I will cut down this daily expenses. I spent KES 6,400 on purchasing bed and beddings. Currently I sleep in a good place. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and household items for my family. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards to be much better than before.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are old as you can see. Our bodies are feeble and we cannot engage ourselves in any meaningful economic activity. We used to depend on government transfers but they are not timely and also little. We feel so bad when we survive on poor meals.Receiving this money therefore means we will be food secure. We intend to use the KES 50000 to purchase food stuff. This will be enough to sustain us for upto 2 years. As for the rest of the money we will use it to purchase a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As older people we are lonely most of the time,when people visits us we feel so glad. It happened last December we received visitors who brought us blankets as gifts. We were so happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food security is the biggest challenge we face. We hardly afford a decent meal because we do not have sufficient disposable income to spend on food. So we are left to survive on poor quality food which is not a balanced diet.
