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?
At around 9am while on my way home from fetching water in the swamp, is when I received the transfer message. I was exhilarated by the GiveDirectly promise of assisting us during this difficult time. I clearly knew that my problems were half solved just by receiving the money message.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My desire was to have a passed form four certificate which would aid me in defining myself in this competitive world. I achieved this by enrolling myself in a youth polytechnic to pursue the tailoring course. All tgis would have just remained to be dreams if it were not for GiveDirectly. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for fulfilling the desire of my heart.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My desire was to have some skills that would help me in sourcing for employment or earning a living. The secondary school certificate is not enough to make someone to get employment or even to employ themselves.
In that regard, I enrolled myself in a tailoring course and I paid KES 16500.00 for fees. I also saw it prudent to buy a sewing machine in advance so that by the time I complete my course, i find it easy by having a personal working instrument. I also bought a suitcase for storing my children's clothes as well as buying my own clothes too. The remaining amount I saved it for food stuff.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means getting my own house. This is because, I returned home from where I was married because my husband did not pay the bride price. This made my parents to come for me. Currently I do not own a house, I just live in a small house that my brother left for me. I also have a family of two children and with the cold season, my children frequently fall sick due to pneumonia. I intend to use the first cash transfer from give directly to build a one bedroom house that will cost me $500. I will then use the second cash transfer to buy a bed, and a mattress and start a small business that will bring an income to help meet the basic needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because, I get time to rest after a long day of engaging in casual jobs. I also have time to meet my children. Cooking and eating with my children at this time puts a smile on my face.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Over the two years that I returned home, life has been very difficult for me and my children since my husband has completely abandoned his responsibility. This forced me to look for casual jobs in the village at least to make ends meet, but this has never come through. I have been depending on charcoal business that earns me less than $15 a day. This makes it difficult to meet most basic needs of my family.
