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 was in my Kitchen garden plucking vegetables for the next meal, suddenly I heard my phone ringing, but I chose to ignore thinking that it was one of the many text messages from the service provider,, On my way home I saw my neighbor ululating in a celebration that she had received the promised transfer, that was when I rushed to check my phone, upon checking I confirmed that I too had received a sum KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is completely different from what it used to be, in that I now have a decent house for myself this alone gives me peace of mind, I am also glad that I was able to stock enough foodstuffs in the house that has lasted me for a while, I am grateful for the support that has transformed my life and my home to a more decent place.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a decent house has always been my desire, this is because the house that I am living in currently is a small grass-thatched house, to make the matter worse it was also leaking during the rainy season, I was relieved when I received the unconditional transfer because I knew that I will be able to use the money in constructing a decent house which I was unable to due to financial constraints. therefore, I used KES 45,000 in constructing the house then later used KES 5000 in buying a goat and the remaining KES 5000 in buying foodstuffs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition has been to have a good shelter at my old age .We live in an old small single hut which leaks alot when there are rains. The leakage affects our comfort in that we have to move our beddings around the house in search of a less leaking side.We have not been able to renovate the house due to our old age.This transfers will therefore allow us to put up a new modern house worth KES 35000 hence giving us comfort and boosting our self esteem whenever our children and visitors come around .
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have a merry go round within our community and in the past 6 months precisely November last year it was my turn.I received KES 15000 for which I bought a dairy goat at a cost of KES 5000 and the remaining amount was spent on food.This has brought me happiness because it has improved my status of living
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is our biggest challenge currently.We depend on the incomes from husband gets from the sale of hides and skins products.This is usually KES 1500 per week .This money is insufficient to meet our food requirements as well as the health expenses.
