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 can still remember vividly I was from the washroom when I heard my phone ringing. I decided to check who might have sent the message at such an hour since it was so unusual. I was so happy after realizing it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Without wasting time I started planning on how best I would utilize it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I sleep in a comfortable place after purchasing some mattresses using my first transfer. Ever since I was born I have been sleeping on some old mat I used to get some discomfort every single night. But then I had no alternative but to use the mats that were available that particular period. I am now sleeping comfortably and I no longer complain about the back pains like I used to do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings such as new mattresses. These were to replace the old ones which I was initially using for all that time. I later saved the KES 50000 of the transfer which I am planning to spend on constructing a new house. The remaining amount of money I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A respectable house for my family is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, we living in a small, single roomed house which is about to collapse. My desire has been to expand it by build additional room for my children. I am intending to spend 350 USD on building my house and purchasing 2 beds and 2 mattresses.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day always starts by preparing my children and taking them to school. At 9 am, I start my household activities like sweeping until noon when I prepare lunch for my family. It is in the afternoon that I can rest my relax after completing my chores hence I consider afternoon as my happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a housewife I depend on my husband who is a casual labor building houses. The income from his job is 3.5 dollars per day. With my 2 children in secondary school the income is mostly used to facilitate their educational need. He left with no coin for other needs like proper shelter for the family. Therefore, lack of adequate financial resources to meet the need of good shelter is my biggest hardship.
