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.
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For the past two years, I have been dreaming of starting a fish business, but my financial resources have been a barrier. As a family of five, we rely on charcoal burning and my husband’s motorcycle taxi business to put food on the table, leaving us with no savings for other ventures. However, there is now a glimmer of hope with the upcoming transfers. I plan to spend $200 in starting the fish business, which I will transport to Eldoret City. With the remaining funds, I intend to venture into crop farming. I plan to lease land in the highland area of Baringo, where rainfall is plentiful, to provide food for my family. I am excited about these new opportunities and hopeful they will offer us a more stable and prosperous future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With the rise in charcoal burning among the community members in Meisori, trees have become increasingly scarce, making it essential to diversify income sources. For a long time, I relied on charcoal burning to feed my family of five, but the profits have been steadily decreasing. To address this, I decided to start goat farming. I now have 23 goats, and I was thrilled two months ago when 12 of them gave birth, increasing the flock size. This new venture has given me a sense of relief and hope for the future. If things get worse, I now have the option to sell some goats to support my family. It is comforting to know that I have a backup plan and a source of income that could help us through difficult times.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am really struggling right now, and it feels overwhelming. We do not have a farm to cultivate because the land here is too rocky, so I rely on charcoal burning to help make ends meet. My husband also works in the motorcycle taxi business, but it is still not enough. The charcoal burning is not very profitable anymore since the trees are getting scarcer, and almost everyone in the village does the same thing. On a good month, I only make about $20 from it, which barely covers our food needs. I often find myself having to buy goods on credit from local shops, and living from hand to mouth is deeply stressful and disheartening. It worries me so much to see us struggling just to get by.
