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 10 AM when I was at my daily hustle when my mobile phone started ringing three times. I was interested to know who could have sent me a text at such an hour. However, since I couldn't read on my own I had to rush back home so that I could get assistance. Luckily, my sister was around and after checking the contents of the messages, she realized that they were Mpesa messages from GiveDirectly. I have eventually received the cash transfer that I was promised some months ago. I was so happy and hopeful since I knew that I would build a decent house that would accommodate all my family members.
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 now have a decent spacious house. Back in the day, I have been sheltering in an unpleasant environment since the house was almost collapsing besides being small. Being in a polygamous marriage has been so tough all along. I was blessed with eleven children and I have been taking care of them since my spouse and unwell. Therefore the little I could earn from the charcoal business could not cater to the family's basic needs and build a new house. Therefore for all those years, my children have been seeking shelter at their friend's houses which were relatively far. I have always been worried about their safety since the said friends were immoral. Also, they could consume lots of time every evening when relocating. They never had ample time to study at night. This has been frustrating me a lot but I did not have any option. I am so grateful that this was sorted out because the new house is spacious enough. I am no longer worried about their safety furthermore they now have enough time to study at night unlike before. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support which has transformed my life greatly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a portion of my first transfer on buying some building materials which include; iron sheets, building poles, threads, nails, and the labor costs at a total cost of KES 30000. This was intentionally for the construction of a new house because the previous one was very small and it could not accommodate all my family members. My children used to sleep and their friend's houses which were very far from the village we lived in. I was always worried about their safety and well-being. To add to that, I am hoping to buy some goats which will be the living assets that I will always be counting on in case of any emergencies. Finally, I bought sufficient foodstuff for my family and new decent clothes.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means seeking medical attention for my health. For over three years my spouse and I have been sick. I suffer prolonged headache that sometimes I faint. My husband also suffering from urinal track infections for eight years now. We have not been able to go for check up because of lack of money. We depend on charcoal burning business that earns us less than 400KES a week. This money is not enough to meet our medical costs. We sold our livestock and bought herbal medicines but up to now, we still suffer from these diseases. I intend to use the first cash transfer to seek medical attention for me and my spouse that will cost us 50000KES. I will then use the second cash transfer to start Poultry farming to get an income for our basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have no specific time that I become happy. This is because of the poor health that makes it difficult for me to work and get something to eat. Despite my poor health, I have to go for charcoal burning to get food which I do not get on a daily basis. The only time I become happy is when I get something to eat for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my job ten years ago while I was working in mombasa. My main economic activity then was selling tea very early in the morning and in the evening to casual workers in construction sites. However, I lost this job due to my poor health. This forced me to come back in the village. Since then I have not been able to work anymore and we depend on charcoal burning business which earns us less than 400KES. This has made life more difficult for me and my family. I have a family of nine children who also have their own families to take care of and cannot support us anymore. Upon receiving this money, I will be able to seek medical attention for my poor health and start poultry farming as a money generating activity for my family.
Poor health has therefore been the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
