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?
As I was still in bed that morning, my helper came knocking on the door. Upon opening, he told me that his mother had received a money message from GiveDirectly and thus asked me for my phone so that he could also confirm if I had received mine too. When he confirmed, it was an ululation for knowing that the organization had not left me aside. The thought that made me ululate was the state of my house that was collapsing. Getting the money meant a fresh new house for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can attest to is that initially, I was living in an insecure house that was collapsing but since I had no alternative I had to risk by living in it. As of now, very soon I will be having a good and firm house that will be safe for my family. Getting something that I can show off of GiveDirectly such as the goats I bought is another difference in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first bought the construction materials because my main agenda was to get a good house. I bought some poles and rafters for KES 12800.00, I paid KES 12000.00 to the contractor for his labor. Thereafter, I bought two goats for KES 7000.00. I chose goats because they are cheaper to buy, and concerning our area of residence, they can resist drought to a certain degree than cows. Having done that, I saved the remaining amount while waiting for the house frame to be completed so that I buy some iron sheets for roofing.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security to my household. I do farming on a one-acre piece of land which is no longer productive. The produce from this land is less than one bag of 90 kilograms that sustains my family of 4 members for 2 months only. My plan is to use KES 40000 to buy 2 acres of productive land. I am assured of getting more harvest of almost 6 bags of 90 kilograms of maize from this new productive land. This produce will sustain my family for almost a year. I will further spend KES 30000 to renovate my house and add one more room so it can comfortably accommodate my family of 4. The remaining amount will cater to other household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of November, my eldest son got married. This brought joy to my life because my family has extended and also I have company in the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Shortage of food and water is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This has been made worse by the ongoing drought that we are experiencing in our area. I buy 3 of 20 liters jerricans of water per day at cost of KES 60. This is very costly for me since I have to buy food for my family of 4 members. The only source of income that I depend on is charcoal burning, a job that earns me as little as KES 2000 per month. I have been struggling to put food on the table and sometimes we skip meals or even borrow from relatives something that makes me feel sad.
