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 biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now own a better house. I never considered myself to actually own a house, as my house was small and grass thatched. I now own a better and spacious house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 11:00 AM and I was in my business cooking chapati as usual. I heard a message come in my phone and when I checked, it was the money from Give Directly coming in. I was very very happy. I closed my shop for the day and then I went to Mariakani town to withdraw the money. I then came back home to inform my husband of the news and we immediately started planning how to spend the money. I was very grateful to Give Directly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to build a better house. I lived in a small grass thatched house with my family. My husband and I were not making enough money to afford a better house. I cook and sell chapati by the roadside outside my home, while my husband is employed at a barber shop in the local center as a barber. We do not make enough money to meet our needs most of the time, and so there was no way we could ever afford to build a new house anytime soon. I am very grateful to Give Directly that now we can live in a better and spacious house. Secondly, I spent my transfers to purchase a goat. I bought a goat as a source of income in future, in that, if I will ever have an emergency in future, then I can sell my goat and solve this particular problem. Finally, I bought food for my family with the remaining of the transfers.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a housewife, I rely so much on my husband for provision of family needs such as food, education and medication. Receiving this money means I will be able to open a shop at Guruguru, having my own income will bring an end to over reliance on my spouse.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I love afternoons because I can rest after a busy morning of house chores such as fetching water, picking firewood, ploughing, washing clothes and dirty dishes. After lunch, I can relax and play with my one and a half year old baby girl.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial crisis has been my biggest hardship in life.1500 shillings per month is the salary my husband gets as an employee at a barbershop in Mombasa town which is barely enough to cater for the needs of the family. As a result, we sometimes go without food for days, wear tattered clothes and have not been able to venture into an activity that can generate more income for the family.
