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 5 pm I was at my farm when I heard a message notification tone from my phone. I stopped whatever I was doing to check it out. It was a message confirming that I have received some money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and went back home to inform my mother. She was so happy too. We planned on how to spend the money. I went to withdraw the money the following day. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow to cut the daily cost of buying milk.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being in a position to buy a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly. I have always wanted to buy a dairy cow but I had no money. I run a small business selling food at construction sites. The money that I get through this business is so small and it was only for the household needs of the family. I was not in a position to save some money. Currently, I have a dairy cow and I no longer buy milk like before, I have enough milk for my family and I am so grateful. I am in a position to save the money that I could have used to buy milk for other needs. GiveDirectly has improved our living standard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The biggest difference in my daily life is being in a position to buy a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly. I have always wanted to buy a dairy cow but I had no money. I run a small business selling food at construction sites. The money that I get through this business is so small and it was only for the household needs of the family. I was not in a position to save some money. Currently, I have a dairy cow and I no longer buy milk like before, I have enough milk for my family and I am so grateful. I am in a position to save the money that I could have used to buy milk for other needs. GiveDirectly has improved our living standard.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to purchase a dairy cow. In our village, there is a milk cooling plant and it is a good business opportunity since I will be selling the milk I got to that cooler. I am gland that I will have a stable source of income for my family. So when I receive this transfer I will spend KES KES 40000 to purchase a cow that is almost calving. This is because I will not have to wait for long to calve and for the remaining amount I purchase food items for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the challenge of food inflation, I am glad that my business of selling cooked food, is growing and that many people have learned about it. This has increased my income and this has brought joy and happiness into my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is food insecurity. I live on family land where I constructed a house however I was not given where I can do crop farming thus I depend on vendors. Getting money to purchase food is also a challenge, I have a small business where I cook and sell cooked food within the village and sometimes neighbors take them on credit. Food items have also become expensive to buy and I am worried that if the situation does not change might be forced to stop the business.
