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 3 pm, I was in my small house relaxing after completing my day's work. I heard my phone ringing loudly, I was surprised with the messages since it was unusual to get them because I had never interacted with a mobile phone. My relative come to my house to enquire if I had received the Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was very happy when I learned that I had gotten the transfer. I was quite sure that I will finally solve the issue of poor shelter.
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 am now happy living in a decent shelter like others. I will no longer have to spend sleepless nights due to the poor shelter or even seek shelter during the rain season. In addition, my self-esteem has improved as I no longer have to seek shelter from my neighbours.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I have desired to construct a decent shelter for myself. After receiving my transfer, I prioritized constructing a house, this is because I was living in a small structure that leaks during the rainy season. Most of the time I was forced to seek shelter from my neighbor when it rains something that makes my life miserable. I spent KES 27,400 to purchase the required building materials which include iron sheets, timbers, building poles, and paid labour charges. In addition, I bought 4 goats for KES 14,000 in order to start livestock rearing a reliable source of income for my family. Lastly, I bought a mattress for KES 10,000, previously I was sleeping on the floor with sacks as beddings which was uncomfortable.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a safer house for me. This is because I currently do not have a house. I sleep outside and during rainy seasons I am forced to look for shelter at my brother's house. I am planning to spend my entire first transfer to construct a two-bedroom house. With my second transfer, I will spend KES 15000 to buy a bed and mattress to give nice and comfortable sleep. I will further spend KES 30000 to buy 10 goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my household. The remaining amount will cater to household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day , unlike in the morning and afternoon when I am busy with my casual jobs. I only come home in the evening to relax and re-energize for the following day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have lived in extreme poverty due to failed investments years and years ago. I used to work in town when I was a young man. I trusted my brother back at home to invest the money for me but he really disappointed me. I came back home 30 years ago to find no meaningful investment. I have never recovered from that. I do not have a house to live in and I suffer a lot during the rainy and cold season especially now that I am growing old. I am also living a lonely life since I do not have a family of my own. Financial problems is therefore my biggest hardship since it has hindered me from building a house, starting a family among other things.
