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 was at my farm at around 8 in the morning when I realised that I had received my first cash transfer. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks because it felt like a dream to me. I had to recheck the message only to confirm it was true. I had to rush back home shared the news with my family and make arrangements on where I could withdraw the cash. I had been eagerly waiting for this cash so that I can start my projects as early as possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is that through the financial transfers, I have been able to construct two modern decent houses. Back in the days, I was sheltering in a small temporary house which was grass-thatched. The initial one had collapsed so many years because of its poor status. Since then, my life has been full of troubles all along. My children had to sleep in my relative's houses which were a bit hectic because they were all teenagers and felt there was no privacy. Being a widow who solely depend on the charcoal business, I could hardly meet my family's basic needs, which means that it would take years for me to construct a new house at my own cost. I, therefore, thank GiveDirectly because we are now at peace and restored our lost joy. We no longer have to worry about the heavy downpours and all sorts of embarrassments we have been through.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials which comprise iron sheets, building poles, nails, timber and a wooden door at a total cost of KES 45000. I had intended to construct two new houses; for my children and mine. The initial one was just a temporary shelter which could not accommodate us all. Therefore some of my kids had to sleep at my relative's houses which has been a stressful moment for both of us. Additionally, I bought a modern bed worthy of KES 5000 which will replace the traditional one that I have been using for decades. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs and decent clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My son who is a bright student has been at home since the beginning of the third term because of a lack of school fees, I am supposed to pay 32,000 KES to clear all the form one fees. Receiving this money means clearing all the school fee arrears and paying all the form two, term one fees. I am also planning to use the remaining to start goat keeping which will help me in future to educate my child.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter bought me a pair of kanga which I liked. I have been wrapping around my body whenever I attend any public function as it gives me a lot of confidence.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I do any work for more than two hours consequently I start feeling some pains in my chest. I can not even carry a 20-litre jerrican, once I carry it I feel a lot of pains in my chest as well as my back. This has been happening for the last three years.
