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?
I received a message alert on my phone in the evening while I was waiting for supper. I always have my phone close to me though I cannot comprehend any of the messages. It was my helper who checked the message and confirmed to me that I had received my first transfer. I was greatly overjoyed since I could now build a pit latrine to use with my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer enabled me to build a pit latrine to use with my family. I was doing open defecation in the bushes and nearby forests which was exposing me to waterborne diseases like cholera. I no longer need to go to bushes since I have access to the pit latrine together with my children. I am happy that my children are not exposed to illnesses and are now safe and using the pit latrine. It would have taken me a long time to make this happen at my own cost hence the biggest difference in my daily life so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSH. 30000 on buying building materials which include iron sheets, cement and building stones in order to construct a pit latrine. My whole household did not have access to a toilet and mainly did open defecation in the nearby forest and bushes. This was exposing us to the risk of contacting diseases. After the construction of the new toilet, we stopped using the bushes and now we are safe using the pit latrine. I also spent a portion of the transfer on paying the mason for his job and other construction expenses. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on buying enough foodstuffs that could takes us for some weeks. This ensured that my family enjoyed adequate foodstuffs daily unlike before when we could skip meals.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I sell tobacco in my village as my full-time business in my compound. Receiving this money means a business boost to me, I intend to increase my stock to serve other villages too. Revenue for this business will help me buy new clothes and a metal box to keep my clothes properly. We use bushes to dispose of our waste, with charcoal burning we are almost clearing the bushes nearby. I have to walk a long distance to find a thick bush to relieve myself. I intend to build a toilet behind my house where I can dispose anytime. With the remaining amount, I will buy food to eat, I have high hopes of a better tomorrow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In February my two grandchildren were expectant. They gave birth on the same day, one in the morning and the other one in the evening. This brought joy to my life when they were both named after me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Not having a stable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing. My spouse retired as a Kenya police and the pension he gets can not sustain our needs(food and clothes). Being in a polygamous marriage has also strengthened my challenges, my spouse mostly stays with the second wife to plan together. I ventured into the tobacco business but it has less revenue of 100 KES per day. I wish I could not agree to add another wife because life changed after she came.
