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?
It was around 5 in the evening when I was at the dam together with my friends when I heard a message tone from my phone. I did not bother to check at that particular moment since I was in a hurry. However, after a few minutes, another message popped in. I had to check who it was and to my surprise, it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and felt I was the luckiest person in this world. I had to rush home and shared the good news with the rest of my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now a proud owner of a piece of land. It has been my wish to purchase it for quite some time but this was not achievable because of the financial crisis. I divorced my spouse some years back and I was forced to return to my maternal compound. Life been so tough ever since because my parents have also been experiencing conflicts with the extended family. Being a casual labourer, with very low wages, my two children had to undergo lots of hardships. Sometimes they could sleep at their friend's houses because my parent's house was very small. As a result, there was a need for have my own compound. Having the piece of land is something that I will not take for granted. There is an assurance that soon I will build a very beautiful house. My children and I will therefore no longer have to strain like before. and
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 50000 of my first transfer on buying a piece of land (a half-acre). It has been my wish to own it for a long time but I did not have the needed cash to purchase it. This had to be my priority because I wanted to live a private life together with my two children. Being a divorcee has never been easy and I had always been wishing to have my own home. My dream was finally answered and I am very glad that very soon I will be able to accomplish this. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items that I was lacking at that particular moment.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
After divorcing my husband five years ago, I had to come back to my matrimonial home. However life has not been the same since then because I have to fend for myself to eat unlike before when I could depend on my husband. I have too been unable to educate my children well because I don't pay their school fees consistently. I am planning to use KES 50,000 from the transfer from GiveDirectly to pay for my children school fees. Doing this will assure them of enough study time in school translating to improved academic performance. I will use the balance to buy enough food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have nothing to smile about in life and being alive is the only thing that brings joy in my life. I always wake up and thank God for a new day believing that all will be well one day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity and inability to pay school fees for my children has been my greatest headache. After divorcing my husband due to endless domestic violence, I have no one to help me and I only rely on God's mercies to put a mean on the table for my family.
