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 11pm while sleeping when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES55000 and I was very excited and slept happily that night.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving this transfers is owning a dairy cow which enables me get a daily income. Through the transfers, I also have food in bulk and my kids have grown healthier and happier. This is unlike before when I used to eat from hand to mouth.I am also grateful because I have cleared fees my son's school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES30000 on a heifer as a long term investment for my family and as addition to the one I had. I spent KES 10000 on payment of school fees for my son in high school. I also spent KES 10000 on food and household items and KES8000 on latest clothing fashion.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better livelihood for my family. My wife and I are getting old, therefore we may not be able to do farming as a way of income-generating activity. We have therefore invested in dairy cows as it gives us income through the sale of milk. I plan to purchase one more dairy cow with this money which will cost me approximately KES 70,000. For the rest of the amount, I will purchase maize to feed my family .
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last six months, we have been having consistent high milk production thanks to the rainy season. It has been the best of the year as we have been earning income which has seen us through these months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge. We live in a semi arid area, my farm being largely sandy with stones which makes it not suitable for farming. We entirely purchase maize for cooking costing us KES 2800 per month. This is a lot considering we depend on selling milk as the only source of income.
