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 received a message alert while I was travelling home with a friend. She was also a beneficiary of the program and wasn't aware that transfers would be sent that day. Since I could not comprehend the messages on my phone, I told my friend to check for me and to our surprise, there was some good news, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was greatly overjoyed and thanked GiveDirectly for the financial support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I was sleeping on old mats and using a traditional bed. I have not been able to replace these beddings with comfy ones because they were expensive for me. However, through the transfer, I was able to buy a new mattress and a modern bed. I can now afford to sleep well because I changed the beddings with a new bed and a new mattress. This to me is the biggest difference in my daily life. Having a good place to sleep has always been my dream only that I did have the money to buy them. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for fulfilling my desire.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was using an old traditional bed with mats as the beddings which could not offer a good sleep. My desire was to save money and be able to change them with new ones. However, this was not possible for me considering my lowly financial status. Its until I received the first transfer that I managed to buy a modern bed and a new mattress at Ksh. 12000. I am comfortably enjoying a good sleep under my new bed and matress. Apart from this, I also spent Ksh. 7000 to buy two goats which I am currently keeping in my household. I did not have livestock in my compound though my desire was to own some. These are assets to me that I can rely on in case of a financial need. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. In addition to these, I have three of my children in school who had been sent home because of the huge fee balances. I thus took Ksh. 8000 and cleared the fees and were allowed back to continue with their studies. I spent the remaining amount on buying enough food for my family as well as paying some debts.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will use the transfer to build a spacious house. The structure I am currently living in is very small. It also serves as the kitchen. One can even stretch their hands and be able to touch the two walls. I will construct a two-bedroom house which will cost me around 60,000 KES. The remaining amount will support us with food and schools levies for my two children who are currently in primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son got employed as a watchman in a nearby secondary school. I am happy now that he can assist in providing for the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is my major challenge. I rely on charcoal burning for our survival since I lost my husband. I produce two sacks per week with one sack selling at 350 KES. This amount barely sustains our needs with the high cost of living at the moment.
