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?
The happiness I had when I received a message confirming the first transfer was immeasurable. It revived my hope of picking the projects I had been wishing to start were it not for the insufficient resources. I was with my child when I received the message. I could not believe that I was reading the message well until she confirmed that indeed it was the transfer I had been waiting for. I could not hesitate to call my helper who managed to visit the nearby shopping center, and withdrew that transfer that afternoon.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the investment in livestock. This has been my wish for a long time and managing to bring in a bullock and two goats makes me happy and hopeful that I will soon be able to own at least two heifers. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the great support that has brought back the hope we had lost on livestock farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been our dream to own more than one cow in our field but it has been unfortunate that we have kept buying milk from the neighborhood for a long time since we had none. On receiving the transfer, we spent KES 28000 on buying a bullock as the heifers at the market were so expensive, and we could not meet the cost with the budget we had. I will, later on, sell it out after a year as it is a fast grower that after selling will enable me to purchase two heifers. I also obtained two goats at KES7500 serving as security in case a need arises too in the future. With the ongoing construction that I had when I receive the transfer, I managed to complete it by installing all the windows and painting work after paying a labor cost of KES2700. I also needed to add some foodstuff and bought a sack of maize and rice at KES5000. With the remaining amount, I obtained clothing for the household and other missing household goods.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I'll improve on my assets. I'm planning to buy a dairy cow since the one I have now is not mine. With my cow, I can freely milk and sell the products. I can also sell in times of need. This will cost me KES 60000. The rest of the amount I will use to finish my house which is halfway done. This will provide more space for my grand children
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I'm done with all the housework and farm activities. My day is usually occupied with very tiresome farm work. At this time I can think and plan ahead.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life is the loss of my husband, 11 years ago. He was the pillar of my family. Since then I have been struggling alone to raise my children and put them through school. Being a peasant farmer depending heavily on farm produce, I'm left with less to improve our livelihood. We live hand to mouth, I haven't bought any asset of my own.
