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 in my house resting after taking my morning dose of medicine, I was sick and unable to walk due to my swollen legs. I still remember It was around 9 o'clock when my phone started ringing an indication that I have received a new message. My helper was not around, so I decided to call my son to check my phone since I am illiterate. Joy filled my heart and I had a feeling of relief after he revealed to me that I had received my transfer as promised during the enrollment stages. I was very sure that my dream of owning a better shelter was about to be attained.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Seeing the different construction materials I have acquired with my transfer gives me hope that I will be living in a decent shelter soon. This makes my life peaceful and stress-free. I can not wait to see myself living in a new and spacious house like other people in the village. I am indebted to GiveDirectly for the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Constructing a decent house for my family has always been my desire. This is because the one I have is very old and is collapsing from the inside. I was risking my life as well as those of my grandchildren who were living in the house. This made my life uncomfortable since I was always worried that the house may fall at any time. After receiving my transfer, I prioritized the construction of a new house by purchasing the building materials such as timber, building poles, nails, and iron sheets for KES 12,000. Furthermore, I bought small households utensils such as plates for KES 2000. With the remaining amount, I saved KES 35,000 which will help me in finalizing the construction of the house and paying the labour costs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow with a grandchild who depends on me for her basic education. Due to my age, I am not able to engage in any economic activities that can earn me an income to meet her basic needs. I depend on casual jobs like weeding and digging other people's land to get money for food. This job earns me less than 200 KES a day. Unfortunately, due to the persistent drought facing our village, these jobs are no longer available. This forces me to depend on neighbours to feed me. I also live in a small leaking house that makes it difficult to sleep especially during rain seasons.Upon receiving this money, I will be able to build a better house that will help me sleep comfortably. I will then use the remaining amount to pay school fees for my grandchild. Receiving this money therefore means building a better house and educating my grand child.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of my day is usually in the evening. My typical day begins in the morning at 7am. I usually leave for work to cultivate other peoples land to earn an income. I then come back in the afternoon to take my lunch, and then go back. I spend the rest of the day in the farm and come back in the evening very tired. Upon arrival, I take a warm bath and then cook eat and rest. It is during this time that I make stories with my grandchild which refreshes my mind. This makes me long for evenings so much.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in my life is poor health. I suffer constant pains on my waist that has made it difficult for me to engage in any economic activity. I depend on cultivating other people's land to make both ends meet for me. However, due to the illness, I cannot engage in such activities anymore. This has made me being dependent on other people in the compound to feed me. My biggest ambition has been to seek medical attention that will help me recover my good health. I intend to use the first cash transfer to seek medical attention for my health. I will then use the remaining amount to build a better house and educate my grandchild.
