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?
Receiving this money was the happiest thing that has ever happened to me in my life. I can vividly recall that I was at home relaxing when suddenly I heard my phone ringing, upon checking who had texted me, that was when I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with happiness, I was relieved and happy because this meant that I would be able to accomplish the goals which I was unable to achieve due to financial constraints.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have managed to accomplish so much that I never thought that I would have achieved in a short period due to financial constraints. I have managed to build a decent house for my family, unlike before where we used to live in a small grass-thatched house. Secondly, my children are comfortably studying in their respective schools since I cleared the arrears. which gives me peace of mind. I am so grateful for the support that lifted our living standard amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My dream of building a decent house for my family was awakened by the transfer that I had received from GiveDirectly. The goal was never realized before due to financial constraints since I depend fully on farming to earn a living. Our area is a semi-arid place, hence, the crops are not doing well due to harsh weather conditions. Therefore when I received the initial transfer, I used it in constructing a house where I used KES 23,000. I then paid school fees of KES 8000 and finally, I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount. I am grateful for the transfer that brought so much happiness to my family as a whole.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good education and a better home for my family. I am a single mother of two children who are both in school. After we separated with my husband almost 6 years ago now, life has been a challenge. I used to be a potter but unfortunately my hand dislocated to an extent that it is difficult to handle anything for now. The only source of income is poultry keeping and since they are few in number the production is also less. On an ideal day I can get an average of KES.100 from poultry, this is what we use to buy food at home. My children are now grown ups as they are all in secondary level. My ambition with this transfers is to build a spacious house that will coat KES70,000.The remaining amount will of set school fees balance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past 4 months, I have been able to recover after a long illness. I got an accident 2 years ago when I was fetching water from a nearby well. This was a great loss to me as the right hand almost became paralysed. The business that I used to do came to a stand still as I was unable to handle anything at that moment. It has been a journey of going to hospital for check ups but then I am now feeling better. It is now a joyful moments for me and my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge that I currently face is lack of a descent home. I live in one roomed house made of grass at the top. Sometimes when there is heavy downpour we experience leakage from the top. This situation is not favourable as we risk ourselves in contracting with pneumonia disease. We are super excited today that our ambition of building a new house will be realized.
