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?
This was a normal day for me, I had gone out to look for a casual job to do when I heard a message alert ringing, it was around 9 am, I stopped what I was doing to check on what the message was all about, I was overwhelmed with happiness when I saw that I had received a sum of KES 55,000, I immediately stopped what I was doing and headed straight home, I am grateful that I received money from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer from GiveDirectly came at a time in my life where I needed it most, I am a mother and a casual labourer though What I earn is not enough to cater for all my needs, We have been struggling to make ends meet, Therefore when I received my transfer I was able to build an iron sheet roofed house that would also enable me to harvest rainwater, the house that I had before was grass thatched. I am happy that I have a goat that I own now, my living standards have changed to a better one and I am grateful for the support that changed my life positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer in building a house worth KES 21,000, my house was old and small but I could not afford to build a better house due to the financial constraints, I also bought a goat worth KES 2200, my income is very little that a time, we sleep on an empty stomach because I cannot afford to buy food, therefore, I used the remaining part of the transfer in buying foodstuffs.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in an old house that leaks whenever it rains. I have wanted to build a new one but I have not had enough finances to do so. Receiving this money is a boost for me because I want to build a house that will take approximately 27 iron sheets. The motivation for a big house is because I have 7 young children and I believe building a bigger house will accommodate them all. This will cost me approximately KSH 50000 because I have to buy timber and iron sheets.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is because I have woken up energized and ready to do my house chores. My day entails doing house chores in the morning and then I go to the farm to weed my maize till evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finances is my biggest hardship at the moment. I have to look for casual labor so that I can educate and feed my family of 9. I am worried that some of my children will not complete their education because my husband is the sole provider and he earns 5000 shillings every month. This amount is not enough for us to feed and educate all the seven children. As a result, my eldest daughter had to drop out of her studies so that her siblings can also get some formal education.
