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 exactly 2 pm , I was relaxing in my house after coming from town. I heard the loud message notification on my phone and was anxious to know its content. Being illiterate, I called the helper who confirmed the message that show the receipts of the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was such a happy moment of life that symbolize a transformation for the better living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently residing in a proper house after completing the construction by inserting a door. I am no longer afraid about safety of the family members as well as our household items. Additionally, I am sleeping on proper bedding something that I had never imagined to achieve in such a short time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer to purchase proper beddings for the family. I used KES 10,000 to purchase a modern bed and mattress. This was because I was sleeping on the floor with old rags as bedding that exposed my skin to maggots. Similarly, I spent KES 4,500 to clear pending construction charges accumulated after repairing our house. In addition, I used KES 5000 to complete the construction of the house by inserting a door since it had non which was very risky. Furthermore, I spent KES 15000 to the payment of an acre of land which I bought sometimes back but failed to settle it in fully. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream in life is to own a modern bed and a mattress. I was raised sleeping in the traditional twisted rope bed for the last 50 years. I slept on a mattress bed not less than thrice in my lifetime. Therefore upon receiving the fast transfer, I will buy a wooden bed with a comfortable sized mattress to sleep on it for 24 hours to celebrate my first day of owning a modern bed and a matress. I will use the remaining part of the transfers to buy food for my house and goats to keep as wealthy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son sent me food two months ago from where he stays in another village. He made this in assistance to his daughter whom I live with. I am living with my grandchild 16 years old since she was 4 years old. This happened after her father married a second wife, her mother decided to look for a divorce and separated with my son living me a small child to look after. Looking after my grandchild and the burden of hunger without a proper way of getting revenues are my greatest challenges.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a biggest challenge to me. I am growing old( 52 years) and I depend entirely on charcoal burning job which is very straneous and needs alot of energy while my body tissues are already worn out. Getting food for my house hold is tedious activity and have no one to assist me in ny house.
