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 relaxing after completing preparing and taking my kids to school. I was carried away by the household chores that I did not realize when I received the transfer. It was around 8 am when I checked my phone and realized that I had received a Mpesa message. I decided to confirm my mobile money account balance and I could not believe it when I saw KES 55,000 on it. I was extremely happy about receiving my transfer since I had planned to spend it appropriately to transform my living standard.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to own and sleep on comfortable bedding is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am currently feeling fully re-energized after sleep something that has improved my productivity. Furthermore, I am living a stress-free life after settling all the debt at our nearby shop.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on giving a proper send-off to my daughter who died because of an illness that had been disturbing her for a long time. In addition, I used KES 11,000 to purchase 14 iron sheets for which I intended to construct a new separate house for my 2 grown-up boys who were still staying under the same roof with them something that was against our customs. In addition, I bought one goat as a future investment for my family. Furthermore, I spent KES 3,000 to clear the school fees for my small kids who are still in lower primary. Similarly, I bought a mattress for myself since the mat that I was using was not comfortable. Also, I cleared off debt at our nearby food store of KES 5000, I had been taking foodstuffs on the bill.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband died five years ago. Since then I have been struggling with life because he never left any investment for me. Upon receiving my money, I will buy 35 goats as an investment at a cost of KES 105000. This will help me in future in case of any emergency. During famine I will sell some goats so as to get food for my family. I have a family of five members and they entirely depend on me. I will use the remaining money to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
One of my child benefited in the government orphanage program. He has been receiving food and other gifts which has been of benefit to the whole family. The orphanage program has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I used to depend on my husband for all my necessities. When he perished five years ago, I had to start providing for the family. Subsistence farming used to help me provide food for my family. It is two years now without having rains in our area. This has caused famine in our village. So lack of food is the current challenge I am facing.
