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 biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a house. I have been longing to construct a big house but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. My previous house was a small hut that was in a very poor condition. We have suffered a lot because of this condition but because we did not have the means to have a better house we had to persevere. My children never had peace because they would be forced to sleep at my neighbor's house which was so uncomfortable and inconveniencing. But ever since I constructed this house, the problem is now permanently solved. Secondly, whenever they wanted to study, they found it hard because the house was not spacious enough and this affected their academic performance. Ever since I constructed this house they have been studying and sleeping comfortably without any interference.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2 am, I was half awake because I had gone to the washroom minutes before a notification messages came through my phone. It sounded odd because I didn't expect a message from anyone at that odd hour. When I checked what the message was all about, I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had sent me the first transfer. I remember I couldn't sleep after that because I was so excited. I kept tossing and tossing as I waited anxiously waited to go withdraw the money the next day.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing twenty-five pieces of iron sheets, building poles, timber, and some nails. I have been longing to own a permanent house for a very period of time but I could not afford it due to my poverty life. My initial house was a grass thatched hut that was almost collapsing. During the rainy season, the roof would leak and this forced us to stay awake until the rain stopped. I used to get frustrated by this situation and I always dreaded the winter season. In addition to building the house, I used the remaining amount of money to buy enough food for my family, which would last for about three months. We are now eating well, nowadays we take three meals a day just like other families. I am glad to Give Directly came into our lives because we no longer sleep hungry like we used to before
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house collapsed four years ago and since then I have not been able to construct a new one because of insufficient funds. This situation is quite traumatizing as it makes me feel irresponsible but I cannot do anything about it. Therefore, receiving this transfer will fulfill my dream of owning a house once again after years of homelessness. Besides, I will also invest in a grocery business to generate income and drop my charcoal business which is against the law.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evenings bring joy to my heart after a long days of uprooting trumps to burn charcoal. This is the only time I get enough rest as well as count my daily income. I also get satisfaction because I know that I am able to provide the little I can for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising my two children single handedly after the death of my husband has been my major challenge all along. My casual jobs could not sustain us comfortably and this forced my son to drop out of school at standard three. Going without food is just a normal thing in my family as it happens frequently. I am struggling too much to make ends meets because I lack a stable source of income.
