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?
At exactly 7 in the evening is when I realised that I had received my first cash transfer. It was like a dream to me and I could be to pray to God and thank His mercies. I felt so happy and hoped that I will now be in a better position of sending my children to their respective schools.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the financial transfer has enabled me to purchase a battery for my solar panel. The current one got damaged and it was no longer functioning. Therefore I have been going through a lot of hardships like staying in the dark every evening since I couldn't afford to buy candles. Apart from that, this has been affecting my children in such a way that they were not able to study at night. Sometimes were forced to go to their friend's houses to do their school assignments. I had the desire to buy the battery but as a single mother of three, this has never been attainable. The little I earned from my casual jobs were only for the food and fees. I am so happy that this was finally settled and my children no longer have to strain also I charge my phone plus those of neighbours at a fee and generate an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 26000 on my first transfer to pay school fees for my son who is in his second year, two in grades four and five respectively. They have been staying home for a couple of days and I was worried that they might end up failing to sit for their exam which was around the corner. Additionally, I bought poultry feed (for my chickens) and I am glad they are now growing faster and gaining weight. Also, I bought a battery for my solar panel since the original one was no longer functioning. To add to that, I bought eleven bags of cement at KES 7500 and timber at KES 8000. This was for the renovation of my house because it was unstable. With the remaining cash, I bought food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I own rental houses in my compound, winds blew the roof and my tenants had to vacate my house. Things became too difficult for me because I have I loan to pay which I used to build the house. Receiving this money I intend to renovate my rental house to that I can gain the honor of being a landlord. I will start rearing chicken in my compound because they have a high demand during the festive season. With the remaining amount, I will pay school fees for my children to give them ample time to study.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I started goat rearing business and during the Muslim festive season my business was at it's peak season. I sold most of my male goats,how I wished I had more to sell. This brought joy to my life seeing my business growing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The Covid pandemic hit hard in my country and this made us get a pay cut in our salaries. I had taken a loan to build rental houses but due to my pay cut, I had to get extra cash to pay. This made me sell all the chicken that I had invested. We are still receiving the same salary since the pandemic and you can not complain. I feel stressed working in a low-paying sector and I can not do anything.
