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 at midnight when I heard a message tone from my phone. I didn’t bother to look at it not only because it was late at night but also I do not know how to read. Early in the morning when I woke up, I called one of my children to see what kind of a message that had been sent at odd hours. Upon checking she confirmed to me that it was the transfer of KES 55000.00 for GiveDirectly that had been sent. I was filled with happiness and knelt down to pray for the organization.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can speak of is about food. Initially I was starving with my family, things were moving in different directions and I was struggling but most of the time my efforts were bearing no fruits. The family was in a bad condition. As at now, we are very grateful for the organization for coming through for us, we have good access to food not as before. We are now living happily as a family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, the first thing I did is, I took KES 2000.00 and paid school fees for my primary school grandchildren who are the children of my helper. This was a sign of gratitude to the helper. Thereafter, I bought iron sheets, ridges, nails and poles for KES 31000.00. These materials are for building a new house. I took this step because the house I am in is very small and it serves as a kitchen and store too thus it is usually hot and smoky hence not friendly to sleep in it. I also kept KES 10000.00 for the family upkeep to carter for any eventuality that may arise. Having done that, I bought 3 goats for KES 8000.00 and some clothes for my family at a cost of KES 4000.00. For the help I received from my helper, I saw it being human to appreciate and I gave him KES 4000.00.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. Currently, I am living is small structure which is not spacious enough to accommodate my family of 5. I am planning to spend KES 55000 to construct a two bed house so that we can live an admirable life. I will further spend KES 30000 to buy 10 goats that will act as a long term investment project to my household. The remaining amount will cater for other household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month, we received food from the government. I was one of the beneficiaries whereby I was given 10kilograms of maize and 5 kilograms of beans. This makes me happy, because the stock lasts for one week and I was able to save my little earning for the week to pay school fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Scarity of food and water is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This is due to ravaging of the drought that we are experiencing in our area, all the water pans that we have been relying on have dried up. This has forced me to buy water for household use every day. I, therefore, buy 4 jerricans of water daily that costs me KES 200. This is very costly to me since I have to buy food every day for my family of 5. With most of money spent on food and water, paying school fees is now a problem.
