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 around 5pm while winding up my farm work. On checking, I confirmed to have received the eagerly awaited KES55000 and I was very grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is owning a dairy cow which is now a source of milk for my family. Through the transfers, I also have adequate food for my family of which before I relied on my masonry work to feed my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES28000 on a dairy cow because I had sold a dairy cow last August to cater for my late wife's burial. I normally buy a litre from the neighborhood. I also spent KES8000 on house construction posts and KES7000 on a bag of maize and beans and KES 5000 on clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have since had an ambition of building a decent and comfortable house in my life. From what I earn in my casual job of house construction, it has never been sufficient for me and my family. My earnings mainly depends on the availability of the job. In a good month I can earn KES. 5000 but some other days I don't get a job. This has been my day to day life and building a house has really been a tall order to me. Recently I lost my wife due to a short illness. I was left lonely to take care of the young children which has not been easy to me. My job has been affected because I can not leave my children at home. I intend to do two things: Build a new house that will be more spacious to us and start farming which will be a source of income. I really thank Givedirectly for this transfers that I needed most. I now plan to spend the entire transfers for construction and farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had three children in my home whom I was left to stay with after loosing my wife. It is one month ago now when my sister came home and requested to take my two children to her place. This was a great relief to me as I was becoming overwhelmed for this. I was left with one who now stays around with me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
One of the challenges that I currently face is food insecurity. After loosing my wife I was left alone to stay at home with my children. This situation has worsened since I can not leave them at home. My income was affected and I cannot buy enough food for children. I really appreciate that Givedirectly have visited my home and my life is going to change.
