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 left early in the morning to fetch water. My phone was charging and off until I came back. I switched on my phone and I couldn’t believe the first message that I read had received money from Give directly , with so much joy my face delighted. I called my husband and shared the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is buying a new sewing machine. Before my old machine spoilt, my tailoring business could support my family, at least with food expenses. I am glad I have resumed work and will raise enough for my family and spare some to have my old sewing machine fixed. Hence, in the future, with my new house almost complete, the veranda can accommodate another machine which is an opportunity for me to expand my tailoring business and my revenues as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Financial constraints is the major challenge that I face with my husband because of the inconsistency of his casual jobs. He works on a construction site and lately it’s been hard to secure a job even for a week. I spent KES 12,500 to buy a sewing machine because my old one had spoilt which forced me to put my tailoring business on hold. I also invested in a solar panel and battery of KES 10,000 for the entire house to allow us to enjoy the benefits of charging my phone and having light in my house. I bought building materials for KES 27,500 in order to complete my new home, which is a two-roomed house with a wide veranda that can put up a tailoring shop. I spent the remaining KES 5000 on food, which would last my family of six members the next one month as my husband continues to look for a job.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are a family of 6, I have 4 children who are school going. My husband works as a Mason in Mombasa, where he is on temporary contracts, the small pay he gets he supports us with basic needs. I also own a sewing machine which helps to do repairs for my neighbors and time to time pays me around 150ksh a day.
The current house we are living in is in bad condition, where the mud is rained on and it's almost falling down on one side, and that's where my children sleep and I find it scary.
Upon receiving the first transfer of 55,000 KSH we plan to build a bigger 3 roomed house and furnish it with structures including chairs and buy beddings for my family all this will cost around 70,000 KSH, we already have our personal savings and we plan to top up on the transfer.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was blessed with a baby girl and she is doing well, I count it as a blessing to my whole family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Am self employed where I have my own sewing machine, which I do repairs for neighbors, and also design any type of clothes as ordered but off late, the machine has developed malfunctioning.
It was helpful as I got around 100-150 shillings on a good day.i hope I can repair it soon.
