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 felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I remember very well that it was in one of those early mornings when I was preparing tea for the family when I heard my phone ring. On checking it, I was a little surprised to find out that indeed GiveDirectly had fulfilled their promise of sending us mone. I could not continue with the cooking of tea that I was doing and straight away I went to a nearest MPESA shop, withdrew my money and made orders on building materials that were meant to upgrade my house to that of a cement floor from an earth floor.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the upgrading of my house from an earth floor to that of a cement floor. I had always desired to do this but with the little amount of money that I got from my shopkeeping business I could not be able to raise enough and do this. I was also able to buy one additional dairy cow that will see us produce more milk for the wellbeing of the family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 35000 to cement the floor of my house and used KES 20000 to buy a dairy cow. I had always looked forward to cementing the floor of my house which often got dusty and made it hard for me to maintain and keep it clean. The shop keeping business that I ran was hardly enough to provide the basic household needs of my family as well as save up to make other valuable investments such as cementing the floor of my house. I could only hope against hope that I got such money that would enable me to do this until GiveDirectly came to my rescue. I also made a choice to buy one dairy cow that would be of great help to me and my family once it starts producing milk. This would mean that my children will have enough milk supply while we even sell the surplus to meet other needs for thevfamily.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy one exotic dairy cattle to increase milk production and have surplus to sell in the nearby market. I will also use the remaining transfer to complete and furnish my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with my usual household chores, I prepare my kids for school and head to my shop until evening. The happiest part of my day is when my target profit for the day is realized.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
During heavy rainfall my house normally seeps water and becomes moist thereby creating unhealthy working and/or sleeping condition to my family. Additionally, my kids do not have a comfortable place to sleep and study.
