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 8am when I had visited a friend so that we can visit a certain construction site for casual jobs so that we can earn something for the day. Unfortunately on reaching at my friends’ place he told me that the deal was no more, already some people were taken and we had no chance for that day. On my way home feeling disappointed my phone vibrated a sign that I had received a message. Upon checking it was a transfer of KES55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy. Straight and full of strength, I went home and told my wife to accompany to our room. I narrated the whole scenario in a chronological order and she was dump-founded too.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially my credibility was very poor, most of the people had no faith in lending me some money in case I needed their assistance because they were afraid I may fail to pay them back since my small jobs were from hand to mouth and even sometimes I went without some food due to the hardship I was passing through. But thank you to GiveDirectly, their presence in my life has restored back my credibility and I feel like the other human beings. I do my things well and whenever I seek a loan from a person they no longer resist. I know it’s not because am rich but it’s because GiveDirectly came and restored the lost faith in me before the eyes of my neighbors. Thank you so much GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the money, we had already planned with my wife that we were going to by cows with the 1st transfer since we had none and we know cows are form of investment. In honoring our agreement, I took KES 40,000.00 and bought 3 cows one of which is already expectant and it will deliver soon. Since our financial situation was also not so promising in terms of basic needs, we spent KES 14,000.00 on buying a mattress, bed sheets, some food and also pay some debts to the nearby shop where we were used to taking some food items on a bill.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean better shelter for my household.This is because I have a one bedroom house which is small and not enough when I host visitors.I rely on casual labour which is hard to get and earn me at most 300 per day.I have to share this amount to all my household expenses leaving me with nothing for building a bigger house.This will enable me to have a decent house for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.This is because I am relaxing with my family at home sharing food together.Unlike in the morning and afternoon when Iam busy doing casual jobs in order to earn a living.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is food insecurity.This is because it has been three years since it rained sufficiently and got good harvest.This makes me struggle to put food on the table because the Kshs.300/- I earn from casual labour is not enough for the family.Sometimes I am forced to seek help from relative, situation that is embarrassing especially to a family man like me.
