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 exactly 5 in the evening when I was still at my daily hustle( charcoal business) when my mobile started ringing. I decided to rush back home since it was not that far from where I was. I asked my son to confirm who it was since I was not expecting to hear from any of my relatives at that particular moment. I was overwhelmed with happiness after telling us that GiveDirectly has finally fulfilled the promise they kept earlier during the enrolment stage. I was certain that I would finally build a decent house that I have been dreaming to own.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am a proud owner of goats that I am currently keeping in my compound. I have been aspiring to have them for so many years but I couldn't afford them because they were quite costly. I however opted for them because they can survive very well in my region and their offspring mature very fast. Therefore in a few months to come, they will have increased in number making me wealthier. Since I am a divorcee of three kids who are in school these assets will also be of help in case of any emergency such as the arrears. Also through the goats, I will be able to start new projects like businesses that are once they multiply. I can decide to sell a good number of them and open a kiosk. I am grateful for having them in my homestead and I am looking for more transformations through them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the first transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets KES 14000, building poles KES 2500, and all the labor charges of KES 3000. I had intended to construct a new house because the previous one was wanting and almost collapsing. With my family of three, it could barely accommodate us all. During the rainy season, we have been sheltering at our relates houses who resided very far from the village we lived in. Later on,
I bought three goats at KES 10500. I also saved KES 24000 for my son who is about to tradition to secondary school early next year. With the remaining amount, I bought foodstuff for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means building a house for my family. I have a family of three members. We are all living in a one bedroom house with grass roof. The house lacks privacy for my two sons and I. During rains season, the roof leaks very much . That has caused pneumonia to one of my son. Wind has also affected us due to the leakages of the house. I will use KES 80000 to build a three bedroom house for the family. Every one will have his own room thus fostering privacy. I will also use KES 20000 to buy five goats as investment. The remaining KES 10000 will be used for food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children school at petanguo primary. On January 2022 when schools resumed on their first term, the headteacher Petanguo primary felt pitty on me and decided to clear the school fee balances for my two children. The help I got from him brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a single parent, it is hard to bring up a family
alone. I used to do masonry at Kilifi but I fell sick two years. I have chest problem and I can no longer do masonry. I now depend on subsistence farming for my family survival. Paying school fees for my children at school is a challenge now. So lack of job is the current challenge I am facing.
