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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I saved in with a Rotating Savings and Credits Association so that it can grow and I use it to build my house. I did the same with my second transfer of KES 3000. My house has many problems, it's in deplorable conditions. I built it a long time ago but it has soon deteriorated and it leaks during the rainy season. I have repaired it several times but it continues to leak. As of right now, it is almost collapsing. I therefore, plan to use the transfer to construct another house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I did not have any program to help me as GiveDirectly has. I now receive funds that I can use to implement my plans e.g. going to college. I cannot think of any improvements GiveDirectly can make at the moment.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have had the intention to build a bigger and new house for my family. I currently have a small business that has helped me in terms of attending to my needs. I want to now focus on building my house. The current house where I live is not good at all. The roofing of the house is seriously leaking and this is dangerous to me and my family members. Now that we have started receiving some light showers I must fix the roof as I look to build another house. Since the amount I received at first was little I decided to invest the whole amount of KSH 1150 in a Chama. I thought it wise to do that so that I can ask for a loan and get some good amount that I can use to repair the roof and also start the project of building my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, the transfer has made a big difference in my life. Previously I would skip some meals or even sleep on an empty stomach. Currently, that’s not the case. The little I earn from my business is used to cater for meals and the money I get from the transfer I use it to accomplish my projects such as building the house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message that I had received the transfer at 9 am but I saw the message at 10 am. I just had finished washing some clothes. I went to pick my phone in the house and upon looking into it, I found out that I had received the transfer. I was very happy that I had received the transfer. I immediately called my husband and shared the good news and we were all very happy and excited.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting water in my village has been a miracle. Imagine walking for more than 6 hours a day only to come back home with a 20litre jerrican of water. That is the current situation in the village. Water has been scarce. My family members are forced to skip taking birth for up to 2 days because of lack of water for domestic consumption. Walking for the long hours has made me weak to an extent I really struggle doing my household chores.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I gave birth to a baby boy a month ago. This brought joy to my life because there were no complications. My husband was happy too. I was worried about how I would give birth because of the complications I had experienced during my first pregnancy.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been living under a leaking roof for the past 2 years. In addition to this, the walls of my house have some cracks which are now life-threatening. We live in a pathetic house which can collapse anytime from now. In addition to this, the roof is leaking making the house unlivable especially during the rainy seasons. I'm planning to use 60,000KES to construct a specious and a decent three bedroom house for my family of four. One room will host my children, the other room for my husband and I, and the third room for any visitor who might come to pay us a visit. I will use a further 30,000KES to buy three beds and three mattresses for my family. Getting my house done will earn me the reputation I have always desired in the village.
