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 biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to buy building materials such as iron sheets and building poles. This gives me hope that very soon I will be living in a more decent house. I am planning to build a more spacious and iron-roofed house because the grass-thatched house had become old and was in bad condition. I always believe that it is the help I got through GiveDirectly that enabled me to fulfil this. I am very grateful for choosing me as one of their beneficiaries.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember that morning, I heard my neighbors saying they had received money from Give Directly. I decided to check on my phone also and asked my helper to check my Mpesa balance since I have not learnt how to manoeuvre through these modern gadgets. As she read out the message to me, everything came to a standstill as I could not contain the joy that filled my heart. I still thank GiveDirectly to date for the financial help. My life has completely changed as a result of their help
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Before GiveDirectly came to our village, I was living in a very small hut. It was a grass-thatched house that was in a very pathetic situation. Due to lack of resources, I was not able to build a new one. I am thankful to GiveDirectly because, through their transfer, I managed to purchase a few building materials. I managed to buy enough pieces of iron sheets, building poles as well as paying for the labor cost. Very soon I will be moving to live in the new house that I believe will be completed in a few days to come. I later spent the remaining amount to buy a heifer at KES 13000. I am expecting it to reproduce and increase in number and benefit from the milk that it will be producing.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is so small that I can barely breath once I am inside. It is the same single room that serves as a bedroom, kitchen and living room. I even wish that no one visits me because I have no space to accommodate them. My bed also equates the size of my house and I cannot even turn lest I find myself on the floor. I am not comfortable with such life and I have the desire to construct a bigger house and purchase better beddings. I will also purchase goats that will help me generate income since subsistence farming is not reliable and I do not earn enough from my casual jobs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day after a long day in the farm. This is the time I get to regain my energy which is mostly drained by my casual jobs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability has been part and parcel of me for a very long time. This started way back after I lost my husband and I was left with the responsibility of raising three children. The family was not supportive and I couldn't bear their maltreatment thus I had to flee my matrimonial home. Besides subsistence farming, I burn charcoal to make end meet. This is not sufficient to support me and it very difficult to meet all the basic needs.
