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 exactly 9 O'clock when I was at my house taking breakfast before going to work. I received a message from my phone after checking I found out that I had received my transfer. I was filled with joy and appreciate GiveDirectly for the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now a happy person.This is because I am residing in a comfortable and spacious house with my family after constructing a new house with part of my transfer. Back in the days, I had a small house which was not enough to fully accommodate my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent big part of my transfer to construct a decent shelter for my family. I was desiring to build a new house since I had constructed a small house which was leaking but I lacked the money to purchase the building materials a spacious one . I also spent $130 to clear fees balance for my child who is in secondary school and some went to the other 3 children who are in primary school. My children are now learning without their studies being interrupted due to fees.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My desire has been to build a spacious house for my family of 7 but due to financial instability, this dream has never come to pass. Receiving this money means fulling my longtime desire. I am planning to spend 60,000 shillings to construct a 3 room semipermanent house. This is going to enable us leave a decent and comfortable house. Currently, we are staying in a mud walled the house which is full of holes the roof also leaks during rainy seasons. It is always very cold at night because the walls can not prevent cold from reaching us. My children always suffer from coughing and flu due to cold. Other than that, I am planning to spend the remaining part to clear all school fees arrears for my child who is in high school so that he can study without sent home.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. This is because I am always energetic I can work and provide for all my family needs such as food. Unlike in the evening when I am too tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a charcoal vendor. This job is tiresome and earns me 350 shillings per one sack. It takes 2 days for 1 sack to be ready for market and is not guaranteed. This amount is not enough to cater to all my basic needs such as shelter. Therefore, my biggest hardship is the lack of a reliable source of income.
