GiveDirectly: Send money directly to the extreme poor

2nd Payment

Transfer Amount

3050 KES ($25 USD)

5 months ago

In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?

On the farm, no crops can be grown or harvested due to the harsh climatic conditions. My ability to buy the food that is priced extremely high in the stores has greatly improved thanks to the unconditional transfers. Without which, I would spend the majority of the week sleeping on an empty stomach.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

My house is in a terrible state. It was challenging for me to live in the house because the rusty iron sheets were being blown away by the wind. The house I lived in before was seriously leaking during the night, so I was forced to move into my granddaughter's home. I spent $8 on a single piece of iron sheet when I got my transfer. With the subsequent transfers, I want to buy more so that I can fix my house. The remainder of my funds were used to purchase food. Crop harvesting on the farm has been extremely challenging due to the drought. For my survival, I am compelled to pay exorbitant prices for food and water. I'm glad because the cash was very helpful to me.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

3050 KES ($25 USD)

5 months ago

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

The moment I realized the funds had been sent out I was actually at my late mothers wake. During that time I heard the notification coming in and proceeded to ask my son to help me read it out and that is when he confirmed the arrival of the money. I most definitely felt some sort of excitement because I was not expecting the money at all at the time and it was absolutely going to help me.

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.

In my own opinion the biggest difference for me would be the fact that now I feel like I'm financially capable of building a home for myself through the donations after nearly a decade of being homeless.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

I realize that the transfers have been sent out I was quite overwhelmed especially because I was really looking forward to receiving the money. The reason is, about more than five years ago my house collapsed and since my husband had passed away and I had no job, I ended up moving in with my son since I could not afford it. Therefore I ended up using KES 1,800 on purchasing it on sheets. I remember the balance of 1,200 which I sought out nutrition because nutrition was a challenge so I ended up purchasing ten packets of maize flour, half a kilogram of beans and groceries.

Enrolled

11 months ago

What does receiving this money mean to you?

I am a widow living in a damaged house which is leaking during rain seasons. I had to secure a sleeping space from my extended family member's house after the death of my spouse ten years ago. Efforts to renovate the house were futile since I do not have any reliable source of income. Receiving this money would mean I build a semi permanent two bedroom house which will cost a total of 35000 KES. I will be saving 2000 KES monthly to make this project a reality. Once the house is complete I will save some money to buy a bed and a mattress since I have none at the moment. I believe I will have the desired respect and comfort in living in my own house. I plan to buy two goats at a total cost of 60000 KES and the rest of the money will be spent on buying food and clothes.

What is the happiest part of your day?

It was during the December holidays when my sons invited me to the Christmas celebration. It was one of the best memories as I had the opportunity to meet all my grandchildren. We ate, danced and had fun together.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

I currently do not have a house to live in. Securing shelter from my extended family members is shameful to me and I always feel insecure and sad at the same time even though I do not have the resources to build one at the moment. Hunger is also a problem as I am a widow with no one to depend on. Taking two meal a day is not always the case which has really affected my health.