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 always switch off my phone overnight and in the morning when I woke up, I switched it on as usual and immediately an Mpesa message popped up. I was overwhelmed with joy. My family was very happy because I knew my plans are going to be fulfilled
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
A great step I made in my life is moving from using kerosene lantern to solar lighting. Cash transfers from Give Directly made this possible and I no longer budget for kerosene but use the money on other basic necessities. Besides, my home is now very secured at night because I now have security light. My children can also study at night without being affected by poor lighting. Apart from that, with the new kitchen, my sitting room is now comfortable for not only relaxing but also hosting visitors whenever they visit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from Give Directly to construct a new decent kitchen. All along, we have been cooking in the same house used as sitting room and bedroom and due to smoke from firewood at times very uncomfortable for visitors I also bought a heifer and spent the remaining on purchasing solar panel and associated lighting accessories as well as some few clothes for my family
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a cobbler for a very long time. However, I have been doing it at the confines of my home and it is not accessible to most people. Receiving this money would enable strategically relocate my business. I am planning to rent a room in a nearby trading center and acquire more materials for the job, which is likely to cost me about $200. Moreover, I will spend $300 of the remaining first transfer to build a second house for my growing family, for privacy and dignity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Going out every morning and coming back home with a meal for the children is so underrated. For the days that I secure a job in the village, I am assured that I will put a smile in my childrens' faces in the evening. This makes me happy and fulfilled.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a cobbler in an inaccessible premise cannot fetch me enough customers thus no much income to sustain my family of five. I spend all the money I get everyday to feed my family, leaving nothing for savings. My worry is that my children may drop out of school as this is not a reliable source of income yet I do not have more money to expand the business.
