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 is that I was able to construct a new house for my family. Previously I was unable to do that because I did not have enough money since I am a casual labourer who earns very little, but through the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to buy enough building materials and constructed my house successfully.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the notification early in the morning having woken up and preparing for my daily activities. As I went through the message notifications on my phone, I came across the one message I was expecting from GiveDirectly that finally my first transfer has finally been sent. I was overjoyed for I would soon complete my house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a cow. I bought it in order to keep it as an asset. I am expecting that it will reproduce in future and increase in number. The cow will also provide milk for my family. To add on that, my children had school fee arrears in their respective schools and I had to pay for them so as to reduce the balance and to allow them to continue with their studies without any disruptions. Apart from that I also changed my beddings since they were old and it has been long since I bought new ones. Because of this, I bought a new mattress and a new bed, now I sleep comfortably and peacefully. I also purchased building materials to construct a new house. The house I was living in was small and old and was almost collapsing, but since I did not have enough money I could not renovate it. I am now living in my new home with my family. I also bought some household items, clothes and foodstuffs that would last us up to the next season. I thank Give Directly for coming through and improving my life.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to adequately provide food, education and other needs of my family with much ease. I intend to buy oxen and ox plough so I can be able to dig a bigger parcel of land thus increasing my yield thereby ensuring enough food in my house. I will also be able to save money that can be chanelled towards activities that can generate income. This is because currently, it costs me 11,000 shillings to use my neighbor's oxen to plough my five and a half acre farm. I will use the money saved to rear livestock which is a booming economic activity in my location.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With my last born being in secondary school far from home and my husband working in Mombasa, my evenings and mornings are very lonely since am all alone in the house. However, in the afternoon, I get to sit, talk and laugh with my neighbors and friends driving the loneliness away.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a housewife with a husband who is a mere casual labourer in Mombasa, our finances are very constrained. Affording a simple meal for my family is a huge task when nothing much has been harvested in the farm due to low rainfall in this area. My children's schooling has also been greatly affected, most of them had to discontinue their studies after primary school due to lack of funds. They are now casual labourers in Mombasa, Kilifi and Bamba town.
