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 was at home relaxing when I heard my phone ringing, I was overwhelmed with happiness when I saw a Mpesa message that I had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly, I immediately called my husband and broke the news to him. We all celebrated the wonderful news filled with Joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different now in that, I was able to buy a parcel of land and managed to build a house, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me, initially, we were living in my in-laws compound but the house was too small, we also wanted our own space though this was not possible due to our financial status, I am grateful for the transfer because it has enabled me to get a shelter. I lack words to express my joy, May God bless our donors wherever they are.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We were given a small house in my parents In-law place, though the house was small we had no choice but to endure and accept what life had offered us, The moment I received my transfer I bought a parcel of land worth 300 dollars, I then used 200 dollars to build a simple house. I am now relieved, happy, peaceful and fulfilled knowing that I have a place I call my own.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family and I currently live in a 0.5 acre land that is not sufficient for tilling, hence receiving this money will enable me to buy a 2 acre piece of land at $600. I will then use $250 to build a better house since the current one-roomed grass thatched hut we live in with my spouse and 2 children is too tiny and leaks in water during rainy seasons. I also intend to buy one dairy cow for milking, thus the lessening the daily worry of where to get money to buy milk for my family consumption.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After a long day of toiling hard under the scorching sun while engaging in tedious casual jobs in people's farms, coming back home after getting my earnings that would enable me to buy food for my children makes evening the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Farming has been my passion since my childhood, given that in the past, it was our main source of livelihood in our family before I was married off. For now, the 0.5 acre piece of land that my spouse acquired from his parents is too small to cultivate, thus forcing us to toil hard engaging less paying casual jobs so as to buy food for our household. We have always wished to buy land for tilling so that we can plant our own crops for family consumption but lack of finances has made this hard to achieve. This is the biggest hardship we face.
