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 8 am just after breakfast when I heard a message alert on my phone. I immediately gave the phone to my helper who checked and confirmed I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and withdrew the cash the next day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is building two modern Iron roofed houses. As a result, I am now happier because this is a dream come true.
Secondly, I have bought a dairy cow which I didn't have before. This will be a source of milk once it reproduces.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have worked as a fruit and vegetable vendor to fend for my family for the longest time.
When I received the transfers I used most of them in building two modern Iron roofed houses. One serves as a kitchen and the other serves as a sitting room and bedroom. This is because I have been living in one old grass-thatched house with leaking roofs which was built over twenty years ago.
Secondly, I spent a part of the remaining transfers on a heifer which will be a source of milk once it reproduces. This is because I have been buying a liter of milk each day paid on monthly basis.
Lastly, I spent the rest on a three-quarter bag of maize. This has sustained my family for the past month and will be over this week.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to build a better house since the one that I have is old, leaks when it rains, and is nearly falling. This impacts my health so much that I have to seek treatment every other time for my chest. Building a better house will reduce the times that I seek medical attention and also the amount of money that I use in treating this problem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have not experienced any chest problem for a while and this has enabled me to do jobs for money. Whenever I have chest pains, I am confined to my bed, and it becomes difficult for me to find food. Enjoying good health in the last six months has brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is financial constraints brought about by the unavailable source of income. I am elderly with a chest condition that limits me and this means that I cannot do heavier jobs and I have to rely so much on my children to provide for me. This is difficult for them considering that they have families to take care of and they do not have stable sources of income.
