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 am a farmer, I was on my way to the farm together with my daughter-in-law. I received the message alert on my mobile phone at around 7 am. Being illiterate, I gave the phone to my daughter-in-law who checked it and disclosed the good news that I had received the transfer. I was very happy because I would be able to fulfill my dream of improving my livestock rearing as an alternative source of income for my family.
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 am leading a happy life after accomplishing my ambition of boosting my livestock rearing. I am confident that through this project I would be able to educate my children without any problem. In addition, I am currently enjoying my nights on comfortable bedding unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had desired to boost my livestock rearing by purchasing more animals since I had very few. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 21,500 to purchase one local dairy cow and 3 goats. This is a future investment for the family that will help me in educating my children. In addition, I spent KES 11,000 to purchase a bed and mattress because I was using a small traditional bed that had a broken leg and mat as bedding which was not comfortable at all. Furthermore, I used KES 6,000 to educate my children by clearing their school fees previously they were always sent home for fees something that bothered me a lot. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for the family because it has been a long time since we had enough harvest from our farm.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My main occupation is livestock rearing but of late I have sold almost all my goats and cattle. It used to be the source of income to my family of nine but in the last one year due to the drought in the region, this occupation has been adversely affected. We lack enough money to cater for the daily needs for my children. On receiving this money transfer I plan to buy two cows and 10 goats at a total cost of 50000 KES. I believe through this investment my family will have a reliable source of income in paying school fees and also food at home.
I will also set aside 15000 KES for school fees and the rest will be spent on food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was during the Christmas celebration last year when we had a joint party with the extended family. It was an enjoyable moment for us as we ate, played and danced together. This brought us so much joy in our lives as a family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to the drought we are experiencing in the region, farming has been negatively affected and this has resulted to famine. I depend on charcoal burning occupation which I only get peanuts and it's always insufficient for my family needs. We sometimes take one meal a day and this has affected my children's health. Lack of school fees is also a big challenge as I don't have a reliable source of income.
