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 doing my house chores when I had my phone ringing, it was around 9 am, when I picked my phone to check, that was when I realized that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with joy, I thanked God for the support that I had received, I knew all my plans would be realized now that I had the money at hand, I am happy and grateful for this wonderful gift that brought smiles to lives.
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 will no longer be carrying water on my back daily from the stream, I will no longer complain of back pain and exhaustion too and from the stream, I am happy that I have clean water on my doorstep, I will also save up some money that I used in buying drinking water. In addition to that, I managed to clear school fees arrears for my two children. I luck words to express how happy I am, May God protects all GiveDirectly staff and their donors in their services to humanity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our area is a semi-arid place, we all depend on the water from the stream for our daily usage, that would mean several trips to the stream which is so exhausting, my husband and I decided to use our first transfer in purchasing a water tank, therefore we used KES 31,000 in buying a 5000litres water tank, I am relieved because with this we will be able to harvest rainwater in the rainy season. I then used KES 20,000 in paying tuition fees for my two children who are in high school. I am relieved because I now have clean water on my doorstep.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reduced recurrent expenditure. We have been struggling to get clean water for domestic use in my family since we experience a prolonged period of drought. We usually buy clean piped water in the nearby center at Ksh 5 for 20 liters which is costly. My ambition has been to buy a 3,000-liter water tank which will be used to fetch water during the rainy season. Give Directly's first transfer will be used to realize this dream.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day entails preparing my 3 school-going children early in the morning. After they have left for school, I do household chores until mid-morning after which I go to look after our 3 cows. I will look after the cows until late in the evening. After a tiresome day, I feel more relaxed and happy in the evening which relates to the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A prolonged period of drought has been the biggest hardship we have faced in life. Over the past 10 years, we have been unable to harvest enough maize in our one-acre piece of land due to drought yet we relied on it. Initially, we used to harvest an average of 8 bags per acre. Unlike today we harvest an average of 2 bags per acre which is not enough to cater to a family of 9. Life has become unbearable since we nowadays buy maize for domestic use and thus raising our household expenditure.
