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 at around 4 p.m and I was at home. I had my phone vibrate and upon checking, it was a receipt of the promised transfer in the past weeks by Givedirectly officers. I was happy that I would commence on my written plans.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is accomplishing the plans that I had with my first transfer. I am grateful to Givedirectly for the support that I have received so far and hoping to do more with my second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With Kshs.20,000 of my first transfer, I spent on buying a heifer. For the past few months, I had been keeping my neighbor's cow so that I could get milk per day. I would milk two liters a day but I was not comfortable since the owner had told me he would come for it anytime. I am glad that I own one and once it has calved,I no longer worry about milk. I also bought iron sheets worth Kshs.16,000 and am waiting for my second transfer so that I can start building the house. With the remaining part of the transfer, I spent in buying food and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a livestock "broker"at the nearby Chebunyo. So every Monday I go to the livestock market, I am usually contracted to sell livestock on behalf of the seller. The seller simply set his price and leave me to sell , whatever I get above the set selling price belongs to me. That is how I earn my disposable income. On a good day I get up to KES 1000. Livestock trading is a good business that I have always wanted to engage in but I lack capital.It needs a lot of capital. GiveDirectly could not have come at a better time like this, I see my dream becoming valid.I have never been happy like I am today, I intend to use the entire transfers to start the business as a livestock trader as opposed to being a broker.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last December we received enough rain that has made our crops flourish. We are certain that this year we will have a bumper harvest because of that. It is an a sign that we will be food secure. That is what has kept our hope alive and our future promising.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have had a problem of childlessness since we got married 15 years ago. We have sought medication for a long time but nothing has changed. Marriage life without children is meaningless and painful, we are despised in the community. This is a situation that is frowned upon by people in our culture. We pray to God to bless us with children so that we be like other people and have a normal life.
