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?
While at the field preparing some charcoals for sale, I received a message in my phone at around 9am.since I do not know how to read, I gave it to a colleague whom we were together so that he could read and interpret the message for me. When he broke the news I jumped in happiness and excitement. It was the promised transfer from GiveDirectly that had been sent to my phone. I hurried completed the remaining part of the work we were doing and left for home since my mind was not settled due to the happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, life was very tough on my side. Relying on charcoal business was not something to be proud of since I could go up to four days without getting a customer, which means borrowing some food items from a shop or sleeping hungry. This kind of job couldn’t enable me to build a house. But as at now I am constructing a good spacious house and this is the biggest difference that I can attest in my life. If it were not for GiveDirectly, I wouldn’t have made it because my source of income was from hand to mouth.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 20000.00. The aim of buying the iron sheets is that I wanted to construct a new house because the one I had was very small and old thus not secured to live in. I also bought a bicycle for KES 15000.00 for fetching some water because the water points were very scare and far from our home due to the drought that had stroke our area. I also paid KES 8000.00 school fees for my children so that they are retained in school and have proper learning environment. Since I was relying on making and selling charcoals which is not a guaranteed business for generating income, I had borrowed some food items from different shops and I saw it prudent to settle the bills so that if need arises I could have the guts to borrow again.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to work as a tailor in a certain company in town but when Covid 19 emerged, unfortunately I lost my job. By that time I was on the process of constructing a big house for my family of 11 members because the one we are current in is too small. I could not be able to raise funds again and complete it at the required time.My ambition was to finish it, receiving this transfers means fulfilling the desire. I am planning to spend KES 50,000 on the construction so that my family can stay comfortable and enjoy life because they will not be seeking accommodation from neighbours. Other than that, I intend to invest the remaining amount on paying school fees for my children for them to be able to study and pass exams so that they have a bright future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is my happiest part of the day because, it is at this time when I have enough time with my family and rest. Their company and the laughter we make acts as a stress reliever to me. Unlike in afternoon when I am alone in the bush burning charcoal at least to be able to provide for my family needs such as food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After losing my job of tailoring, which was my only hope, life has never been easy, because I struggle a lot to sustain my family basic needs such as food and shelter. Currently, I work as a charcoal vendor at our village. The earnings of KES 350 per week is not enough to cater for everything. Therefore, losing my job has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life.
