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 4 o'clock in the evening and I had just gotten home from fetching water, when I found out that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I received the money because I had been facing challenges that I was unable to address given that the only source of income was charcoal burning and selling, which hardly raised enough for even our immediate needs. Therefore, it was a very huge relief when I got the money.
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 money from GiveDirectly is that I am living, what I can say, a good life. We have food, which used to give me sleepless nights on where I was going to find it. We also have a motorcycle that takes care of our family's daily immediate needs, and goats that will continue to take care of us even in the future. I am so proud and grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer which was KES 22500 on buying five goats because they are an investment that will live on, I will be able to count on them in the future because they will multiply and increase numbers. I will be able to sell one or two and address the financial challenges I will be facing. I also spent KES 20000 on buying a secondhand motorcycle for my husband that he will be operating as a motorcycle taxi. This is and will be our family's regular source of income whose returns will enable my husband and I, to meet our daily immediate needs. I am so happy and proud to have done all that, thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children. I plan to achieve this through livestock farming. I will spend KES 30,000 to buy ten indigenous goats which do well in our area. As they multiply I will sell at a profit and use the proceeds to buy stationary and uniforms and other education expenses. The remaining will help me to clear school fees for my son who is in third year of secondary education as well as buy three beds and mattresses.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life has not been easy to my family for the last six month until the end of October this year when I was in formed by our village elder that there will be a baraza for Givedirectly. I had been hearing about it in neighboring villages not believing that one day it will reach us and benefit from the cash transfers. When the officer came and explained to us about the organization, my heart was filled with joy and happiness because I knew I will be able to educate my children and transform my life once I receive the money.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is food insecurity due to the prolonged period of drought in our area. It has been three years since we received sufficient rains and got good harvest. My husband and I rely on charcoal production as the source of income for the household. The job is energy draining and there is no more big trees that you can produce quality charcoal so that you fetch good price. As a result one sac goes for KES 600 and in a month you earn KES 2400 which is not enough for a house hold of ten members. Due to this I have been struggling to meet daily meal for my family. Sometimes, they go to school without eating which affect their performance.
