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 early in the morning and I was up preparing breakfast for my family when I heard a message notification from my phone. At first, I assume the message thinking that it might have been the normal promo codes that I usually receive. Once I was done preparing breakfast, I opened the messager and found out that I had received my first transfer. I was so happy as I rushed towards the house to inform my husband who was overjoyed by the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I never thought that I would ever have a permanent roof but through GiveDirectly transfers, I was able to fulfill my long life desire. I can now harvest rain water during rainy seasons and I'm so happy since I wouldn't have achieved all this if it was not for the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before we were enrolled into the program, we had started building a semi-permanent two bedroom house but we were sure we would use coconut leaves for roofing because we did not have the financial capability to buy iron sheets. I have never slept under iron sheets roof and that was my desire for the longest time. When a GiveDirectly officer called and informed me that I had qualified for the program, I was very happy that I was going to put up a permanent roof. I spend all my first transfer to do roofing and I'm happy that I was able to build my house towards completion and move out of the single room that we were previously living with my husband and three children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always desired to upgrade my existing grass-thatched house into an iron sheet roofed and semi-permanent structure. The current house I stay in with my family is leaking during rainy seasons. This creates adverse living conditions for my family. My plan is to spend KES 30000 to refurbish my house so that we can reside in a decent house. The remaining amount will be invested in my children's educational needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the Month of November, my husband bought a Cow from his savings. This brought joy to my life because he is planning to visit my parents soon to give them the cow as a dowry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I depend on my husband who is working as a casual laborer in town. His job is very tiresome and time-consuming yet its income is very little such that it can not fully support our needs. We sometimes skip meals or borrow from relatives something that ashames me. Therefore, I consider financial crisis as the biggest challenge that I am currently facing.
