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 around 6pm in the evening and I was just at home relaxing when I received the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I had expected and had been looking forward so much to receiving it. It was an amount that was going to help me address the challenge that I was facing which was repairing and renovating my house from mud walls to stone ones. I couldn't afford to have this done before because I didn't have a job and no income to make that possible, therefore, I was so happy to receive this money that I was expecting from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I am now living a more improved life than before. I have a better house that I whenever I look at it, I admire and feel so proud of myself. I was able to get a goat which is something that I believe will continue to take care of us in the future when it reproduces and increase in numbers. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 40000 on repairing and renovating my house, changing it from mud walls to stone ones. This was because it had gotten so old with worn out materials and was almost collapsing. In addition to that, its walls had holes in them which posed health and safety risks because even snakes and other dangerous animals could gain access to the house and potentially harm myself and children. This used to make me so worried and stressed, because even when it rained especially at night, we would have to spend the whole night awake since it was literally raining inside the house. Therefore, I am so happy and less worried now that we have a stone wall house which is miles better and safer than the mud wall one which gives me room and opportunity to just look for food for my family knowing that everything at home is safe. I am so happy and proud, that whenever I look at my house, I admire what I see and I no longer admire the similar houses in other people's compounds as I have my own, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am six months old into married, the house that I found my husband in is not complete yet. My prayer since I moved in with him, has always been to finish the house and start keeping livestock on a large scale now that it is still raining and they can get food. GD transfers with therefore help me realize my dream because KES 20,000 will be enough to finish building the crib, KES 15,000 on food, and use the remaining KES 20,000 to buy livestock.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am six months old into married, starting a family has brought joy and happiness in my life because this has always been my dream.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a newly married couple with no good place to live in has been my greatest challenge because people in the village are always looking down on me. This has lowered my self-esteem since I moved in with my husband.
