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 5p.m and I was away on my farm weeding vegetables. When I switched on my phone, an MPESA notification message popped up. Upon checking, it was a confirmation of my first transfer from Givedirectly. I could not hide my joy and went home to share the news with my family who were equally excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is the achievements that I have met so far. I look forward to doing more with my second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The receipt of the first transfer was the best thing to have happened to my family. Upon withdrawal, I spent KES 35,000 on buying a dairy cow. For a long time, we had been buying milk from my neighborhood. I am happy that us milking two liters of milk per day has ended the huge spending on buying every day and we have diverted the money to other household needs. With KES 10,000 I spent on purchasing two sheep and once they multiply we will sell them to cater for school fees payment for our children in secondary school.With the remaining amount, I spent on buying maize and clothes for my household members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income. We are subsistent farmers, the earnings from maize farming are unreliable hence forcing us to supplement it with casual jobs. I am happy as the transfers from Give directly will enable us to purchase two dairy cows for KES 60,000. In a year it will produce about 10 liters of milk which can earn me KES 500 per day. I will comfortably cater to my family of seven basic needs and also pay for my daughter's school fees at that time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Due to consistent rainfall for the past six months, our farms were productive. We harvested three bags of maize that will last us for the next five months. This reduces my expenditure on food enabling me to use the money I earn from casual jobs to cater to other needs. I am happy because my family has sufficient food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With the current change in the education system in my country, learning is quite costly. The school levies and other necessities are various compared to the previous curriculum. Raising money to cater to the education needs of five school-going children has been tough because my wife and I depend on casual jobs.
