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.
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be updated on Selestine's next check-in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to the hospital to look after my cousin who had given birth through cesarean section, I can vividly recall that it was at 11:33 pm when I heard my phone ringing, while my cousin and I were wondering who might be texting that late night, I then decide to confirm what the message was all about, upon checking I saw a Mpesa motivation showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with happiness in that I called my husband and broke the good news to him, we knew that we will be able to execute the plans that we had before.
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 can see the light beyond the horizon, the transfer has given me an opportunity for me to further my career, it gives me joy and happiness, I was unable to do all this due to financial constraints, indeed GiveDirectly is God sent, this is because the aid came at the time when I was losing hope in my education, my husband and I are grateful for the transfer that brought so much joy and happiness in our family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer, my husband works as a driver, together we are blessed with one child, I had a dream of pursuing my education further, but I never had the funds due to financial constraints, at some point, I thought that all was lost, but when GiveDirecctly visited our home and promised us of the unconditional transfer, I saw it as the only opportunity of furthering my education, therefore I used KES 34,000 to enrol in a course, I then used the remaining part of the transfer in buying foodstuffs and other household items. I am happy and relieved that finally, I will be able to follow my dreams.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I'll own a dairy cow that will be a source of income. Since 2016, I have never had the privilege of having a dairy cow. For the last 4 years, I buy milk from my neighbors which has been a challenge to my family. Being jobless and depending only on my husband who earns KES 250 a day for everything is the worst experience. I plan to buy two dairy cows worth KES 40,000 each. One cow will produce around 8 liters of milk daily, meaning at the end of the day I will have 16 liters of milk. If I sell the milk ill get KES 640 a day meaning ill have enough money to support my husband and improve our living standards. The remaining amount I will use on foodstuffs, clothing, and beddings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The last two months the rains have been consistent in the area. This has brought me happiness, I no longer buy vegetables because I get them fresh from the farm. This has reduced my expenditure and gives me relief since the little money I could have spent on vegetables goes to the women's group contribution which we started in the village. Each member must save 100sh every week.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am facing currently is Food insecurity. I am a farmer and Maize is a staple food in the region, since 2015 production has seriously gone down due to the outbreak of maize disease in the region. I used to harvest 25 bags of maize in one acre, Currently, the production of an acre is less than 4bags. This has affected the budgets and number of meals we should be having in a day as a family.
