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 in the afternoon and I had gotten back to the house from the farm when we got the SMS confirming that we had received the money from GiveDirectly. We were very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for the money because we had desired for so long to have a house with a better roof, and the money we received was going to make that possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in our daily life since we started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that, we can confidently say that we are now living a good life and happy. We have a house with a better roof than before and we were able to get some new clothes which make us now presentable and proud, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 30000 on materials and labor charges for building a better house with a better roof because we were previously living in a poorly grass-thatched house that was also in a very poor condition. I chose to build a better house over spending the money on something else and end up finishing it without having done anything substantial that will live on and continue taking care of us. I also spent KES 20000 on buying four goats because it had rained and grass was and still is in plenty which motivated me in getting the goats since their food is available and they won't suffer. Also, the goats are an investment that will live on to the future. They will multiply and increase in numbers which inturn I'll be able to count on them and I'll be able to sell one or two, and address the financial challenges I will be facing in the future. We are very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since I was married 4 years ago, I have been living in a small structure which leaks during rainy seasons. When it rains especially at night, I am forced to seek shelter from the neighbor's something that lowers my dignity. My ambition has been to construct a spacious house but due to financial constraints, this dream has never come to pass. Receiving this transfer means fulfilling it. I am planning to spend 60,000 KES on the construction this is going to retain back my dignity. Other than that, I will invest the remaining part of the transfer to practice livestock keeping which is going to generate income for my family of 3 in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I received a call from our village elder last month that the Give directly organization is coming to start enrolling households in our village. This brought happiness to my life because it is something that I have desired so that it can help me achieve my goal of constructing a decent house. I felt like my dream has already come true.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. I work as a charcoal vendor and my husband is a shepherd. The wages of 3,000 from both of us are not enough to sustain all our needs such as shelter. This has hindered us from conducting a decent house for our family of 3 members.
