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.
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be updated on Priscilla's next check-in.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is helping me reach my goals like building my house. In my opinion, you would do well to give out a lump sum transfer rather than monthly transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used both the first and second transfer in building my house. For the first transfer, I needed to buy cement, which I did. What was left over was used to pay the construction workers working at my house and to buy water. I had bought some stones when I received the second transfer but I did not have money to transport them. When I received the KES 3000, I added KES 1000 and they were brought to the site.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt I was now okay as I could implement my plans. I had planned to build my house as well as grow my tailoring business. When I received the transfers, I did just that and I am happy to say that the walls are up almost to the window level. I now feel I'm okay,
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I feel better, I can see myself accomplishing my goals. There are days I really struggled at work and at times never made anything. This meant that we did not have food at home. However, with the transfer, I can buy materials for my business and sell the products hence, have something at the end of the day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the transfer to buy 2 bags of cement for constructing my house. My house collapsed last year and I am now rebuilding it. I had to put iron sheets on the roof and on the floor due to the damage. Hence, I decided to build a new house. The whole transfer went into construction as I bought cement, paid the workers with it as well as buy water that was used at the construction site.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I would like to start a business, probably revive the one I had running tailoring shop and selling materials as well as accessories. I started off working for a particular textile company in Mombasa that closed down at some point leaving me jobless. Thereafter I went ahead to rent a stall and start my own tailoring business. This didn't last as the the building that hosted the stall was sold and we got served with vacation notices. I have keeping off business for about a year but right now there's a dire need to step back in and be able to support my husband financially. Recently we sent our eldest daughter to a high school creating a new insatiable need for more money that my husband cannot manage with the wages he get from casual construction jobs he does currently.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Acquiring a small piece of land in kadzonzo four months ago made my year. I bought this piece with savings I accumulated from table banking and started building a stall to be able to relocate my business later. This made me happy because I'm about to create a permanent business place where I do not pay house rent and will not have to move again in search of a business place.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadequacy of financial resources keeps us struggling a lot especially since we sent our eldest daughter to high school at the beginning of the year. I paid half that term's fees which is about 15000 KES taking up all that I had and now I have to struggle to feed and pay school fees for my other two children who are still in grade school
