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 was preparing my breakfast when I heard my phone vibrating so loudly. This was an alert of an incoming message. I decided to check its content, only to realize it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I knew the money will transform my life completely
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before GiveDirectly came into my village I was living in a small muddy house that had a leaky roof during the rainy seasons. I was unable to raise the money to renovate it due to low income considering it was my great desire. Some of my children used to sleep at their friend's houses which was so hectic. GiveDirectly changed the whole story because I managed to renovate my house and it's now decent and spacious enough. I am living comfortably with all my family members which has always been my dream. I will forever be grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings such as a new bed, bedsheets, and mattress. These were to replace the old ones that I have been using for all these years. I also bought a few building materials cush as iron sheets, building poles to renovate my house which was very small it could not accommodate some of my family members. In addition to that, I bought some goats which are now the dependable assets that I can lean on just in case of any financial difficulties. The remaining amount of money, I used it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is small to fully accommodate me and my commodities. This has forced my child to seek a shelter from a neighbor. My desire has been to enlarge it by adding one room and purchasing a bed and mattress. Receiving this money means fulfilment of my wish since am planning to use 350 USD on this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mornings are always my busy part of the day working on the farm until the afternoon when I come back home for lunch. It also at this time that I can relax while eating with my co-wife. I usually chat with her something that gives me pleasure.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a widower meeting the needs of my family especially a respectable shelter has been my biggest hardships. This had forced my boy to walk for about 800 meters at night to my neighbor's house to rest. I am always afraid that something bad may happen to him because of the bush way to my neighbor's house.
