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 saw a message on my phone early in the morning. When I read the contents, I realised it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I had finally received my first transfer. I felt happy as I began to plan for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daughter had been in need of a sewing machine upon completion of a tailoring course. She opted to opening her own tailoring shop instead of being employed to serve her own clients. As at now, she acquired this equipment which she is currently using. I believe her success in this business will be vital to my household, since the income will greatly help us in meeting our family's needs. I also managed to buy two goats which I am currently keeping I believe they will be reproducing and with time, I will be having many of them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 18000 to buy a sewing machine for my daughter who is a trained tailor, because after college, she will be able to open her own tailoring shop. In addition to this, I also spent a portion of the money to pay for my husbands some medical bills and expenses. He was sick and needed urgent medical attention and also a surgery. Thus the money helped us for his medication. I also spent KES 12000 to pay for my daughters tuition fees and KES 3000 to my other children in primary school. Apart from these, I also spent KES 7000 to buy some goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I am spending the remaining amount to cater for my household basic needs such as foodstuffs and other household expenses and items.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means privacy for me and my husband. We plan to build a separate bedroom for ourselves and stop sharing the one we have with our children. This will cost about 20,000 shillings. I will also pay 33,000 shillings worth of college fees for my two children and invest 39,000 in a goat and chicken rearing project to earn income for the family. The rest will be spent on food and other daily needs of the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mornings and evenings are the busiest with many household chores to be done such as preparing meals, going to the farm etc. However, I rest in the afternoon and this is why I love it most.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With an income as little 5 dollars a day from unreliable casual jobs at construction sites, sending my kids to school has been quite a nightmare. In one term, I part with almost 28,000 shillings worth of school fees aside from other necessities such as food, uniform, stationery etc. This makes limited finances my biggest hardship in life.
