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 in my house with my spouse, we had just woken up starting the preparation for my daily work. I remember very well it was around 7 am when I switched on my phone and noticed the message indicating that I had received the transfer. It was such a joyful moment of my life with my husband since we were very happy for receiving the long-awaited aid from Givedirectly.
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 am currently living in a decent house after constructing a nice house with my transfer. Before, I was owning a very small house that had no room which was not enough to fully accommodate my family of 7 members and our household's items. In addition, seeing my kids going to school with nice uniforms like others makes me feel motivated and happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My dream has been to construct a decent spacious irony roofed house for my family. The one I owned was very small without a room which was not enough to fully accommodate my family of 7 members. Similarly, I was using it as a kitchen and bedroom at the same time. I spent KES 35,000 to purchase the building materials as well as pay the labour costs. In addition, I used the remaining amount to support the education of my 4 children by purchasing school uniforms and clearing part of the fee arrears. They were going to school putting on slippers and casual clothes which were very humiliating whenever I escorted them to school. Furthermore, I repaid my bicycle for KES 3000. It broke down one year ago, but I was not able to repair it. It was very helpful during the drought season because I was using it to carry water for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a family of eight with six of them being the children. Imagine we are all sleeping in the same one room house. It's very embarrassing and uncomfortable to sleep with your adolescents children and very much against our culture. Getting this money will enable us to put up a three roomed house which approximately will cost us 60000KES. I also have my son who is in class eight and probably by May this year, he will be joining form one. I am going to use the remaining amount to facilitate his secondary education. Even if some of the challenges will not be cleared but the biggest elephant in the house will have gone.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have my son who is going to sit for final primary school exam next month. It is a great feeling and pleasure to see him very confident and courageous despite all the challenges we face here at home. He did an exam in January and the results were very impressive. Am faithful he will perform better than that.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unreliable source of income is what has been affecting us in this family. We entirely depend on charcoal burning business which per month earns us around 4500KES. This amount with the family of eight can not be enough. If I share the income to all other needs, I end up lacking others. Most of the time my children are sent home due to school fees and even going to school without food. It is very painful and mind blowing as a parent to witness all these challenges happening to your children.
