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?
The moment I received my transfer, I was busy at my workplace with my normal duties. When I realised that I had a text message on my phone, I was curious to know what the message was all about because at the back of my mind I was expecting money from GiveDirectly. Indeed my assumptions were true, it was a message showing that I had received a sum of KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. I knew that I would be able to spend my transfer on accomplishing my goals.
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 was able to purchase a bed with the transfer that I had received from GiveDirectly. I no longer sleep on the floor with my children, which is a dream come true. we are all happy to have accomplished a lot in a short period.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Never had I imagined that I would be sleeping on a decent bed in my life. The transfer came as a big relief in my life because I was able to invest in purchasing a bed, mattress and bedsheets at KES 19500. Something I have never owned before due to financial constraints since I only depend on the little I earn from the grocery shop where I work to sustain my two children. Finally, I used the remaining amount of the transfer in buying foodstuffs and clothes. I am so happy for the support that impacted my life greatly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to rear livestock and do farming as a means of generating income but since this area is prone to drought, farming is not an option for me. I feel sad not being able to see my dream come true due to lack of money. My main focus is on goats because they can do well even during dry seasons and they also multiply faster. I want to buy 10 goats @ 500 each totaling to 50,000 KES then use the rest of the money to do other secondary needs like saving 20,000 KES for my children school fees since they are yet to start schooling, 20,000 KES for buying bedding inclusive of bed and mattresses because currently, we are sleeping on the floor and save the remaining 20,000 KES. Receiving this money means I will have financial freedom when the livestock start to multiply and a good sleeping condition for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
During Christmas, I was able to eat kinds of food that I had taken a very long time before eating. All there were made possible because of my siblings who came back home to visit. Getting together and eating these kinds of food made me happy and joyous.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Not having a constant source of income makes it difficult to provide daily needs for my children. As a single mother, it is very frustrating and stressful when my children survive on a meal per day. This is why I have been trying to do different jobs to try to make ends meet but still, my effort is not enough. Lack of sufficient finances is the challenge that I currently face in life because it is the reason I have not been able to realize my dream.
