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 struggling a lot trying to raise school fees for my children after being sent home from school when I received a message that warmed my heart and brought me back home as I was in my parents' place at that moment. I was happy and thankful that God just opened way when I was almost losing hope. As I was still trying to read through the message before confirming whether my account had that money, I received a call from my brother-in-law asking me whether I had also received the amount. I confirmed to him and promised to be home soon.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the boost I have gotten after buying a cow. A lot has been made easier as I am no longer buying milk daily as I used to do, and my saving plan has also been revived since I have been able to put aside some part of the returns after selling some liters of milk every evening. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for coming in as I was struggling a lot to a point I was almost losing hope.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the death of my husband some years back, the duty to provide for all my six children has been upon me. Depending on the casual labor that I had been doing within the village to raise money to settle all the financial obligations of my household has been so hard. My children were always sent home from school to collect their school fees but since no one could trust me with their money anymore, I could not take a loan but had to struggle harder to ensure that they get back to school. It was a relief receiving this transfer that cleared all the year's arrears for my elder son and had to pay a total of KES 20000. I also needed a lactating cow and was lucky to secure one at KES 22000 from the nearby market. This has saved me a great deal as I used to spend a lot on buying milk since my children had to take tea before leaving to their respective schools every morning and I have been selling some liters in the evening too to support the payment of some bills. I also obtained new pairs of school uniforms for the other five children currently in primary school at a total cost of KES 9000 and used the remaining KES 3000 on obtaining a sack of maize that has been serving my family's foodstuff for the past few weeks.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money would mean an eased burden on school fee payment for my children, better housing and acquired asset for me. In my life I have never known of a decent house, I have lived a life of continuous suffering ever since I was young. The house I lived with my parents before I got married was grass thatched and we could live with chicken and goats under the same roof. Coming to my own house also the conditions remained the same. I never went to school because my parents did not value education especially that girls and it hurts me to date. That's why am currently struggling to educate my children. I have sold whatever I could to pay school fees for them and currently there's no asset under my name that's why I would like to purchase cattle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I get to have light moments in the evenings with my children before we sleep. We have learnt to make fun out of every situation we go through. As we share our experiences of the day it makes it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living without any income has been the biggest hardship. I am supposed to pay school fees, buy clothing and food for my children and as a widow I have no one to help me so all the needs are upon me. I rely on casual jobs which are hard to come by.
