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 learned that I had received my first transfer at around 6 AM. I was preparing my children for school due to the excitement I had I possed for a moment and rejoiced first then took them to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The financial support from GiveDirectly has empowered me purchase some goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I have been yearning for years to own them but because they were costly, I couldn't afford it. Therefore, after receiving my first transfer, without wasting time I bought them. I opted in purchasing them because they reproduce twice a year, and their offsprings mature faster compared to the other livestock., Due to these reasons, I assured that they will multiply in a short period of time. Once they multily, I will start a business of selling the matiured offspings to the nearest market. The money that I will be getting I will be using it in sending my children to school and cater to their daily basic needs without straining like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some goats and chicken worthy KES 10000. I also bought some beddings such as a bed and mattress because previously I used to sleep on some old mats. I then paid some tuition fees for my children and bought some stationary, uniforms as well, I then some building materials such as building poles, iron sheets, time and nails for the renovation od my house since its almost collapsing due to some weak walls. The remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying some foodstuffs ad some expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means changing my life to a standard that I have long wished to be. There is nothing painful like my children spending their nights on the floor using sacks and they have never slept on a mattress. My prime plan when I receive this money is to buy 2 modern wooden beds and 2 mattresses at an estimated cost of $200. This will bring a new version of life to my family something that has never happened before and this will mean comfortable sleep to my kids. My other plan is to invest in livestock keeping especially goats and I intend to buy 10 of them at $30 each equating to 300 dollars of my transfer. This will act as my long term investment plan to help me cater for my children's educational expenses. The remaining amount will help me to repair my house because as of now, it is not in a good condition.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a housewife, I majorly spend the better part of my day at home doing household chores and part of my afternoon hours assisting my husband in his charcoal job. It is in the evening when I get ample time to rest and share a meal with my family. Therefore, evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I majorly depend on my husband who is currently jobless and has opted charcoal burning in order to cater for our basic needs. This has forced us to live a miserable life and spending our nights on the floor due to lack of beddings is a no more surprise to me. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
