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 biggest difference in your daily life.
I had longed to build a toilet for my household but due to insufficient resources, I could not manage. We were using the bushes for open defecation because I could not access the toilet. When I received the transfer, I purchased enough building materials to facilitate this. I also paid the full cost of the labour involved. Having the toilet is the biggest difference because previously I was using the bushes which were exposing us to the risk of waterborne diseases.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was greatly filled with happiness the moment I saw the message notifying me that money had been sent to my account. I was anxiously waiting for this promise to be fulfilled. The thought that my life would never be the same again brought a ray of hope that I would overcome the financial challenges that I was facing.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 7000 of the transfer on purchasing a water tank for water storage for my domestic usage over a long period. We are currently faced with a water shortage and having this storage is efficient. I did not have a toilet in my household. When I received my first transfer, I bought some building materials to facilitate the construction of a new toilet. I also paid for the labour cost. Also, I paid for school fees for my children and bought them stationery. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount to purchase foodstuffs for my family and meeting other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Repairing my house, construction of toilet and buying of water storage tank and sheep is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I depend on my husband who is doing taxi work at Mombasa but his monthly earnings cannot fully support our basic needs. When I receive the GiveDirectly aid, I plan to use my first transfer to repair my house because the current roof is leaking and purchasing of water storage tank that will help me to store water during dry seasons. With my second transfer I will spend it on construction of toilet to improve our environmental hygiene and also to buy sheep. This will reshape our life for the better and hence the change that I have longed for.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the better part of my day at home owing to the fact that, I am just a house wife. When I wake up in the morning, I am required to fetch water from tap that is two kilometers away from my home. When I am back, I prepare our breakfast and thereafter, I work in my farm. In the evening, I feel much relaxed because of the ample time I get. Therefore, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Daily payment of hospital bills due to recurrent diseases to my husband and my children is what has challenged me currently. Considering this situation where the solely breadwinner is sick, I am forced to skip some meals in a day due to lack of money. Therefore, I consider fighting of repeatedly diseases to my family as my biggest hardship.
