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.
Through this transfer, I was able to build a toilet which I didn't have at first. Having a toilet has really changed my daily life as my family will no longer use the nearby bushes when relieving ourselves like before. Through this, I am assured that whenever there is a cholera outbreak, my family will be spared since our cleanliness has now improved.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On receiving the transfer, I was happy and my heart was filled with peace as I knew that my troubles would be settled very soon. I was thankful to GiveDirectly for receiving such an amount of money and I celebrated with my family for this was a great achievement I've ever experienced in my life and deep in my heart, I could feel it that this was the very beginning of a new life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase some iron sheets and other building materials to expand my house and to increase the number of rooms from two to four since it was not spacious enough and some of my children had to seek shelter from friends. I achieved this through the transfer and now I can comfortably accommodate my family and even visitors. In addition to this, I also bought materials enough to build a toilet which I didn't have before. I paid for its construction until its completion and ready to be used. I also purchased a dairy cow and once it reproduces, it will be saving my future, and that of my children since through it, I will be able to educate my children by selling some of them and also I will be able to sell the milk that I will be getting to earn an income. On the remaining amount, I paid some debts I was owing to my neighbours. I also bought some uniforms for my kids, who were going back to school.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always desired to open a shop in our village. This is because we do not have access to shops in our area and you have to walk a distance of 2 hours on foot in order to buy flour, cooking oil and other cooking essentials. I find this as a wastage of time. Therefore, being able to get the transfers will mean that I will manage to start my own shop hence earn an income and bring services closer to Kambe villagers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts at 6 am in the morning where I go to my maize farm to do some ploughing till noon. The happiest part of my day is at noon where I manage to collect some firewood on my way back to the house. I use the firewood to burn charcoal which I sell at our market at Mariango to get about Ksh. 300 for food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We solely depend on my husband as a breadwinner but unfortunately he has not managed to secure a job ever since he got his drivers license. This has forced me to venture into charcoal business which unfortunately got banned by the government. Hence getting money to feed our family is a struggle for us.
