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 guess I received the money message at night while I was asleep. In the morning when I woke up, my son took the phone to call his dad, and before calling, he saw a message on the screen. He opened it and found out that it was the transfer of KES 55000.00 that we were promised by the GiveDirectly staff who came to register us. He immediately informed me of the message and I ululated in happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, my family and I were sleeping in the cold since the house we had, had broken off on one side. We had no alternative rather than to survive by covering ourselves with sacks at night. It was pathetic! As of now, things have changed for the better. through GiveDirectly, I was able to construct a house and we are now sleeping at a nice place as a family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I opted to construct a new house because the old one was not in a good condition and it was unsafe to dwell in. therefore, I bought 15 pieces of iron sheets and other building materials. I cannot recall the cost of the house but what I can say is that the house is ready for use. Thereafter, I paid KES 20000.00 for school fees for my four children. Two of them are in secondary school while the other two are in primary school. I also bought two goats to set a mark of GiveDirectly at home.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children. This I plan to achieve by starting a kiosk shop. I will spend KES 40000 to start the business and I am assured of getting a profit of KES 500 per day. I will then use the proceeds for school fees, uniforms, stationery, etc. I will further spend KES 25000 to renovate my house which is leaking during rainy seasons. I will use the rest of my transfers to buy indegious goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my family since I do not have any.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My three sons secured casual jobs in town late last year. They have been very supportive. For the last few months, they have been sending me money that helps me to pay school fees for their siblings.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing in my life. This is because I am a housewife and my husband is doing casual jobs at the construction sites in town. His income from this job is as little as KES 1500 per week. This amount is not enough to cater to all our needs. Due to this, I have been struggling to put food on the table, and sometimes, I seek help from my relatives something that ashames me.
