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 in the evening when I was milking my cow, I heard my phone ringing, on checking who had texted me I realized that I had received money from GiveDirectly, it was like a dream come true, I was overwhelmed with happiness, this is because I had plans already in place on how I would spend my transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had several cows before, and I was forced to sell most of them to raise money for the school fees, I was only left with one cow, though I don't regret selling them because I aspire to see my children complete their education so that they can better their lives, I am happy that I now own another cow, in addition to that I was able to clear the fee arrears, I am so grateful for the support that made our lives better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my first transfer I thought of paying the school fees arrears which had been a pain on the neck, this is because I have three children who are in secondary school, school fees have been my major challenge because of financial constraints, what I make from the farm produce is not enough to cater for all our needs, thus I used KES 20,000 in paying for the fees arrears, I also thought of buying a dairy cow for that I can increase the milk production therefore, I used KES 30,000, and lastly, I bought foodstuffs with the remaining amount of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have been struggling to make ends meet through casual work and our ambition has been to have an alternative source of income. My husband is engaged in the business of buying and selling cows. The business itself is unreliable because he rarely gets one and when luck comes, he gets an estimated profit of KES 10,000 a month. That cash is not enough to cater to a family of 10 members: 3 in tertiary institutions, 1 in secondary level, and 5 in primary level. We, therefore, intend to purchase one dairy cow of approximately KES 30,000 and add to the two we have to increase milk production for sale. Our projection is to sell 10 liters of milk a day at KES 30 a liter. This will immensely contribute as an alternative source of income. I am glad that Give Directly came into our village at the hour of our need.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband is a businessman, buying and selling cows within and outside the village. We solely relied on his business which he occasionally gets. In the past 8 months, he ventured into veterinary as an alternative source of income and this has brought a big difference in our family. I am glad that we can meet some of our household expenditures without much struggle unlike in the past. This has brought happiness to our lives.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Initially, we had a family of 6 which we were catering for without much struggle. When our unmarried daughter gave birth to 3 children, the burden became huge because we took over the additional responsibility of taking care of her and her children. We took her to college and we take care of her children at home which has increased the household spending patterns. We mainly rely on my husband for upkeep yet what he gets as income is not enough to cater to a family of 9. Therefore, we are currently having financial turmoil taking care of my children and the ones for my daughter.
