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 11pm while already asleep when I was awakened by an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 550000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and slept happily that night and informed my husband of the good news the next day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving this transfers is owning a dairy cow. I had desired to own a dairy cow for the past 13 years but couldn't afford because of school fees burdens.GiveDirectly transfers has also been a source of happiness for my family because we managed to buy adequate food which have made my family to grow healthier and happier.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES35000 on a dairy cow and it's calf because it will be a source of milk an income as well for my family. I also spent KES6000 on Ironsheets with an intention of expand my house because it's quite tiny.I also spent KES 7000 on latest clothing fashion because we used to put on second hand clothes and the rest on food.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean additional land for my family. When the family land was divided amongst 7 sons, each one got a share of 0.3 acres of which we only cultivate 0.1 acres and live on the rest. My ambition for the past 8 years has been to own additional land for my family but unfortunately, this did not bear fruits because of a lack of finances. My husband who is the breadwinner, is a driver at the Chebango tea factory and earns KES 7000 a month. This money is used to facilitate school fees for my children in grade 2, grade 4 and Pre-primary 1 as well as purchase food for the household to last the entire month. I intend to use KES 80000 to purchase 0.2 acres purposely to cultivate and secure food for my family of 5.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My only cow calved 1 month ago and this has been my greatest source of joy mainly because my household's food security is catered for. For the past 4 years, I had been purchasing a litre of milk daily of which if I could be saving this money it could be enough to attend to other issues. I will be now able to cater for household needs without depending on my husband. This makes happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school fees for my 3 children in grade 2, grade 4 and Pre-primary 1 is a challenge I am currently facing. The vehicle that my husband was driving, got damaged leaving him out of work for the past 2 months hence there has been no source of income since then. My children did not go to school today, for the school administration needed us to clear KES 1240 school fee arrears that I currently can not afford. This saddens me for they are missing out on the lessons hence I fear they might fail.
