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 7pm while bathing when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. After bathing, I checked and confirmed to have received KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I was over excited and ate more supper than usual.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow which I had desired for the past one and half years but couldn't afford. Through the transfers, my husband's college fees has been settled unlike before when we had resorted to selling of land. I am also grateful because my house is more comfortable can accommodate more visitors and my family is well dressed with the latest clothing fashion.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 22000 on clearance of college fees for my husband. I also spent KES15000 on a heifer because it will grow and become a long term investment for my family. I spent KES2800 on furniture and the rest on food and household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am one year and two months old in my household. I got married directly from secondary school while my husband is still in University. I am grateful that our marriage was accepted by our both families. This gave us peace of mind and an ample place to call home. My in-law's parents have been supportive to us and they have tried their best to keep my husband in school. They have sold the cows they had one after another one to clear his school fees together with his siblings. To me, receiving this money means independence. I am planning to use KES 40000 to buy a dairy cow. I will be getting milk for households consumption thus ending my reliance on my parents. The milk sales will earn us an income to meet our daily needs and support my husband's education. This will be my happiness knowing that I can stand on my own for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I started poultry farming immediately after I got married. I prefer this since it was affordable to start and I was there to look after. In the last six months, I have enjoyed egg production from my farm. This has helped me meet my daily household needs which have given me self-independence. This is what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I dropped out of school after getting pregnant and immediately I got married. My husband is still a university student. Since I started living separately approximately one year ago, I had to meet my household needs. This has not been easy with no formal job. Currently, I rely on both casual jobs and subsistence farming. The lack of a stable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing. The casual jobs I do are hardly paid but I am forced by hardship to engage in.
