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 relaxing when my helper arrived and informed me that GiveDirectly had started sending to people the promised money. I requested him to help me check if I was among the lucky people since despite owning a phone, I cannot read any received message due to my old age. It was at this time that he informed me that I had already received the transfer and upon hearing this, I became so happy and thanked God for leading GiveDirectly my way when I needed help the most.
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 now live a happy and fulfilled life as I have been able to buy some building materials that I am planning to use in building a more permanent house once I receive my second transfer. I would not have been able to achieve this on my own due to financial constraints as I depend on my children for most of the things. I am glad and looking forward to living in a decent house where I will no longer depend on other people to help me clean it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am no longer able to do some of the tedious things due to my old age and I majorly depend on my grandchildren. When I received my transfer, I decided to spend KES 45000 to purchase some building materials like cement, nails, iron sheets, gravel, and sand soil. I am planning to use them to build for myself a small but more permanent house so that cleaning it will be easier and I will not have to depend on others to help me do it. I spent the remaining KES 9000 to buy one sack of maize for our consumption and other kinds of foodstuffs. Having been able to reduce all these loads from my son gives me so much joy and I am grateful to God for favoring me at my age.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Mud houses are costly to maintain in that they often need mud coating when worn out. Being an 82 year old who stays with 2 school going grandchildren, I do not have time nor the energy to bend in order to smear mud on the house floor and walls. Receiving this money will be a huge relieve –my plan is to put up a semi permanent timber made house which is less to maintain and as well devoid of dust which has affected my lungs for long. The new house will cost about $400 including a cemented floor.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend most of my time in the day looking after my cows at home or by the roadside pasture. I stay with 2 of my grandchildren who study in a nearby day secondary school. They help me with collecting firewood and cooking food every evening. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I didn't go to school myself. When I learnt the importance of education, I took my children through school which cost some of my assets including livestock. I have 2 cows now with one of them a female dairy cow which I depend for milk for consumption and sale of a little for other necessities. During weaning season every year, I lack enough food since I do not have milk to take nor money to buy food. This has taken a toll on my health especially now that I am an 82 year old. My worry is that with impending drought, I am likely to be without food in a long time.
