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 in the evening when I received my transfer, We were at the table enjoying our dinner. Suddenly I heard my phone ringing, upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification message showing that we had received money from GiveDirectly. It was the happiest day in our lives, words cannot express the immense joy and happiness that I felt. This is because I knew that we would be able to transform our lives with the funds that we had received. My husband too was equally happy. I am grateful for the support that brought hope to my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daily life is different, this is because I now own a daily cow. It is like a dream come true, in that, I never thought that I would be able to own one due to financial constraints. I am glad that I can save up on the cost of buying milk daily, which was costly. GiveDirectly has lifted my life from where it was to a higher level in society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a casual labourer and a mother of ten children. Upon receiving my transfer, I used KES 5000 in paying school fees for my children. This has been my major challenge due to unreliable sources of income, I then used KES 25,000 in buying a dairy cow to cut on the cost of buying expensive milk daily. I was unable to purchase one before due to school fees responsibilities. Lastly, I used the remaining amount in buying school uniforms and foodstuffs. I am thankful for the support that lifted my life positively.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a way of livelihood, I practice mixed farming. I am a mother of ten with seven of them currently living under my care. I love livestock farming since the production is daily. This easily comes in handy to support our daily household needs. Unfortunately enough, I do not own a cow among the cows on my farm. They are owned by my in-law mother. I thank her since she allowed us to have them. I am planning to spend KES 25000 to buy a heifer. This is an asset to us and with time it will multiply. I forse better life with a herd of cattle. I will be selling the calves to meet my children's education. I am assured of better milk production on my farm thus have enough for household consumption and sales.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I love farming since it has been a major source of income. Though our yields have not been good enough to take us throughout the year, I thank God since it reduces our expenses. In the last month, I harvested approximately two sacks of maize. This has been the source of joy in my life. I am assured of enough for my family. I do have a break to look for and save what to spend when this finishes in our store.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is my current challenge. I depend on both casual jobs and subsistence farming to earn a living. I spend approximately KES 450 on my daily household needs. This is too expensive for me given that I rely on unreliable sources. I earn an average of KES 150 on my casual job which is not enough to meet our needs .
