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?
I remember vividly it was around 6:30 AM when I was cleaning the compound then my elder son came with some smile on his face. I definitely there was something good. Before I could ask him, he broke the news by saying GD had sent my first transfer. I was so happy because I knew I would achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own some goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I chose to buy them because they mature and reproduce very fast, twice a year which is in line with my desire of owning a herd. My expectation is that I will be able to educate my children who are still young to achieve their goals through these goats. I won't struggle to raise school fees for them since I can readily lean on these goats.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some pieces of iron sheets, timber, a wooden door, and nails purposely for the renovation of my house. The previous roofing was so pathetic spacially when it rained, I was always rained on. I then bought some beddings such as a mattress and a bed. I also bought some goats as my potential asset that I can depend on in the near future. I then paid school fees for my children and bought them some new school uniforms. I also gave my daughter a portion of the money to boost her business which was almost collapsing. The remaining amount of money I am using it in buying some enough foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has always been to be self-reliant, at the moment I baby-seat my grandchildren so that I get paid. And because their parents work in Mombasa, I am left with full responsibility of caring for them. The money they send is only enough to cater for kids' basic needs like food and clothing, -leaving none for other necessities like house improvement and health care. Receiving this money will enable me to attain independence and be in a position to meet my needs and that of my husband adequately. My husband suffers from hearing difficulties and this money will assist in meeting his medical needs. Additionally, my roof is partly covered with iron sheets, and therefore I intend to purchase the deficit thus guaranteeing my household warmth and peaceful nights.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. For the most part of my day, I'm always up and down attending to household chores and other farm work -like livestock grazing and cultivation. And since this is harvesting season, most of my time is spent in the farm. It is only in the evening that I get time to rest and that makes it the happiest part.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Over-reliance on children's income has been the biggest hardship in life. This was necessitated by a lack of adequate resources and inefficiencies that come with old age. And because my children also have their own responsibilities, oftentimes, the assistance I get from them is not sufficient and as a result, my family's needs are not meet. Receiving this money will unlock the state of dependency, and that means there is no more begging each and every day.
