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 preparing breakfast for my family very early in the morning then I heard my phone vibrating. I asked my spouse to check since there was a notification of a new message. Upon checking, he realized it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Wow! Finally, my first transfer had been sent. I was overexcited and all I could is to laugh on top of my voice.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having have renovated my house I feel it had brought the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because its previous state was deplorable. The financial help from GiveDirectly enabled me to plaster it and now it's very decent and permanent. Previously I never have peace because I thought someday it may collapse. But then God is always with me, He brought GiveDirectly into my village and I was lucky to be among the beneficiaries. We are now a happy family and I feel much safer and secure than before. In addition to that our lives have been improved and we enjoy the peace of mind courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings such as a new bed and a mattress. This was to replace the traditional bed that I have been using for all those years. In addition to that, I bought some building materials such as iron sheets and building poles for my son's new house. Initially, he had started constructing it but then the materials were few so it had to stop. During that period he used to seek shelter from his friends which were not good at all. Apart from that, I cleared the huge school fee balance for my children who have been sent home each and every time for fees. I also bought a bag of cement and sand to renovate my house to be more decent. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying some foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am local coconut wine taper, despite this activity being laborious and temporary, it earns me mostly $ 25 per month. I have wished to have a reliable source of income for my family. Receiving this realization of my desire since I am planning to use $1000 on purchase a brand new motorbike for taxi. This will be a reliable source of income for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of the day because it is at this time that I can relax from my morning duties of wine tapping and It at this time that I get time to meet my customers, who purchase it and probably earn a living.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income to cater for the basic needs of my family of 11 members has been my biggest hardship in my life. The Aid from Givedirectly is a reality to my dreams since I am planning to spend my transfer wisely.
