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.
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Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While resting at my home at around 10 am is when I saw a message box on the screen of my phone. I called my helper who was just a stone throw away. After looking at my phone, he stared at me and smiled. I was confirmed and wanted to know what was going on. I was filled with joy when he informed me that I had received KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I pictured how my life was going to take a new shape and was overwhelmed with joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I hadn’t imagined that one day I would own a block house in my life. GiveDirectly made a memorable thing in my life by enabling me to get a block house as well as having a better place I can proudly call home. Initially I couldn’t comfortably welcome my peers in my home due to the state the house was I felt ashamed. As at now, I sometime wish to have friends passing by but surprisingly I am not seeing them frequently like the way I used to meet them in the foot paths. Thank you so much GiveDirectly, for restoring my dignity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the money I came up with a plan on how I was going to spend it. First I looked at the condition of my house and I felt I should do something before I regret. My house was falling apart and due to lack of finance, I was unable to renovate it. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I weighed two options; renovating the old house and building a new one. The Idea of a new house had more weight than the renovation. In that regard, I bought 20 bags of cement for KES 13400.00, bought building sand for KES 8400.00 and made 661 pieces of interlocking blocks at a cost of KES 6610.00. I also kept some amount for the family daily upkeep and the rest I dug a foundation and also paid the contractor. The block work is now ready and I am waiting for the second transfer and see how far it will take me.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means building a spacious house for my family of 4 members, so that we can leave comfortable. Currently, we are staying in a small structure which can not accommodate all us, forcing my 2 children to seek shelter at our neighbour compound. This has stressed me a lot because I feel, as a parent I have failed to fulfill my responsibility due to financial instability. I am planning to spend 60,000 shillings on the construction. Fulfilling this dream will make me a proud parent. Also, I intend to invest the remaining amount on education to clear few balances.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day because it is at this time when I can leave home with the hope of securing casual jobs so that we can provide for our family. Unlike in the evening when I am tired and I just need to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband uses to work as a conductor in our nearby town, but this job came to an end 5 years ago. Since this happened, life has been challenging because he was the only breadwinner to our family. Both of us now depend on casual jobs which are not guaranteed and gives us 400 shillings which is not enough to sustain all our basic needs such as food. Therefore, securing a good job both for us has been a challenge.
