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 on a fine evening when I received a message in my phone. Since I do not know how to read, I contacted my helper who confirmed that it was the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy knowing that, I would be able to do the things which seemed difficult for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can attest is that, soon I will have a permanent house not like the one I have been using for ages. The house I have is very currently is small and collapsing. This transfer will mark the beginning of change in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first opted to construct a good house since the one I had was not in a good condition. I bought building blocks and building sand. I cannot recal the exact cost of these materials but I used a better part of it. Thereafter I used the remaining amount for the family upkeep and I am waiting for the second transfer to finalize the construction.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Currently, I do sleep in a house that is also used as a cooking place. There is too much smoke and sooth all over. The smoke has been also affecting me, I sometimes cough a lot especially at night. The clothes are also smelling smoke, something that affect my dignity and respect whenever I walk around. This is exactly the reason I have been admiring to own a separate structure where I will be able to sleep peacefully. A two roomed house is enough for me and I plan to use 40000KES to fully finish it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
During the Christmas season, my daughter-in-law bought me a dress and two pair of shoes. These are things I have never had for a very long time. In fact I had last wore shoes like two years ago. So I really felt nice and loved as a mother and for a moment I forgot all the challenges I was facing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a mother I was blessed with nine children but as we speak, I only have two. The cause of death for my children is still not clear with me. The recent one just happened one year ago. This last one really exhausted our finances to an extent that I thought he was going to survive but unfortunately he passed away. That curse has been following me for long now that it has installed fear every time one of my sons get sick.
