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 around 9 AM when I received a message on my phone. Since I could not readily understand the contents, my helper checked the message for me and to my surprise, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. The moment I got the news I felt happy for receiving this support and that I would finally finish building my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the transfer, I was able to complete the construction of an additional room. I had built this room so that my house can be spacious. I was unable to finish the roofing and it stalled for months. I am happy through the transfer, I was able to purchase iron sheets, timber and nails and completed the room. In addition, I also purchased a new mattress to replace the old one that I have been using for years. I now have a nice place to sleep on comfortably.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had began to build an extension of a single room to my house but due to lack of financial resources, I could not finish the roofing. When I received the money, I bought iron sheets, nails and timber and finished the construction. In addition to this, I also bought two goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead. My expectation is that they will reproduce and increase in number. I can readily rely on them to cater for my financial needs. I also spent KES 10000 on buying a Television set for my family. Apart from this, I bought a new mattress at KES 4000 to replace the old one that was worn out. I also spent the transfer on paying school fees for my children and purchased enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband produces charcoal in Kavunzoni. He has been doing this job ever since we married. This job is not secure as it is seasonal, mostly during the dry season. My family's financial freedom has been at stake due to the uncertainties of my husband's casual job. So, receiving this money means financial freedom to my family. I will be able to buy two crossed cows which in due time, they will be able to produce enough milk for sell. The sales will enable me save for my children, to help them continue with their studies. Also, my culture believes that livestock keeping is a store of wealth and it earns one respect. This will restore the dignity of my husband in the foreseeable future, as well as my children even in our absence.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. My husband occasionally comes home due to his time-taking casual job in the forests. He spends his night in the cold, fending for us. In the morning, before anything else, I usually call him to know his whereabouts and also inform him about the status of the family. Talking to my husband in the morning glows my day and this why morning is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Job opportunity is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life. I have always wanted to get a job in order to compliment my husband's meagre income. I did not complete my primary education, and this has been a major setback whenever I look for any casual job, for example being a house maid. Most of the employers want to hire people who can at least help their children to do some homework, something that I have no knowledge about. This has rendered me jobless and shuttered my ambition to help my husband to financially raise our children.
