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 in my kitchen cooking dinner for my family of 8 members after coming home from my job of charcoal vending. I was with the children when I received the message on my transfer. I was extremely happy about receiving the transfer. I called my spouse to inform him about the transfer that I had received.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that l am residing in a proper house after putting up a new iron roof. Previously, we were spending sleepless nights due to the leaking roof. In addition, my kids were constantly suffering from cold-related illnesses due to the poor condition of my house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer renovating my house by putting up new roofs because it was leaking during the rainy season. I bought the required building materials like iron sheets, timber, nails and paid the labor cost. I currently have that I reside in a nice shelter after the renovation. In addition, I spent KES 5000 to clear the fee arrears for my 4 children who are still in primary school. They were frequently staying at home due to the huge fee balances which troubled me a lot. I also used KES 10,000 to start livestock rearing by purchasing 3 goats a future investment for my children's education. I intend to sell them when they multiply to educate my children. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to purchase sufficient foodstuffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I intend to pay school fees for my children even if that will means all the money. I have six children, all of them are in school(primary level). In a month am supposed to pay at least 3000KES. I have no job and beside that my health is not good. My husband is very old now, some of the responsibilities are become a very big headache. So paying the school fees for even 3 years will help me plan other things but I will have removed that burden off my shoulder.
What is the happiest part of your day?
One of my brother bought me a sack of maize last month. It was very helpful because it came a time when we had nothing to eat as a family. I really felt happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Three years ago I experienced a terrible accident whereby hot water ran over my body. I had a 20% burn over my body and up to now the wounds are affecting me. I have to attend a dermatologist time to time for a check up but due to financial problem sometimes I don't attend. The condition has affected my daily life so much such that I can not even cook for my children sometimes.
