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?
I had just woken up and ready to begin my daily morning chores. On checking my phone to check what time it was, I saw an Mpesa message. I opened it and my heart was overwhelmed with joy. It was the least expected since I had already lost hope of receiving the transfers thinking the organization had closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was very happy and thankful for the transfers since I knew my plans were going to be fulfilled
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a decent spacious house is my biggest joy. I used to live in a small house and considering that my family was growing, It was getting squeezed day by day. At the moment, the new house is neat and comfortable even when hosting visitors. My children are also very happy because they now have new clothes
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger share of the amount I received from Give Directly to construct a new house because the one I lived in was small for my family. I then purchased some furniture a few clothes for my children and self and spent the remaining on foodstuff
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Building a two roomed iron roofed house to replace the tiny hut that my family operates in, as well as clearing school feed arrears for my two children, one in primary school and another one in secondary school is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up each day in sound health that will enable me to accomplish the activities of the day successfully makes morning the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to unpredictable rainfall patterns in this region, our lands have become unproductive which is the biggest hardship we face now that farming has been rendered yied less and we are forced to engage in tedious menial jobs in order to earn some income to support our family needs.