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?
On receiving a message that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer, I was very happy and thankful that the plans I had been having were finally going to pick. It was around 6:00 am, and could not inform my children who were still taking their breakfast. Within, I had great joy when I shared the news of the transfer right after breakfast. Everyone was equally excited knowing that all that we had been discussing were finally starting once I collect the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With my large family of eight living in a small house, I needed an extra room that would keep everyone at home every night. This accomplishment has brought the biggest difference that I had always hoped for in that we are all enjoying spacious rooms at the moment without having to move out at night
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The great anticipation of the transfer was triggered by the push to construct an extension of another room on the side of the current house for my children. With a family of 8, it had been so hard creating a space in the single house that we had that could accommodate everyone. Some of my children have always had to move to the neighbor's place where they could get a space. With this money, I bought 15 iron sheets, building poles, and timber at KES 21000. In addition, I also paid the labor cost of KES 5000. I am glad that everyone sleeps at home at the moment since we got extra space in the just-completed extension. I also spent KES 5000 out of the remaining amount on buying new pairs of clothes for my children, bought two sacks of maize that we are currently using as foodstuff at KES 8000, cleared a debt of KES 5000 to the nearby shop, and brought in a dairy goat worth KES 10000 from a prolific farmer in the neighborhood. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this generous support and I am hopeful that the second transfer will help establish other new projects.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means access to clean rainwater. In our area, we get water from rivers and this water is usually not safe for drinking and am worried that we will get water-borne diseases. So when I get this transfer I will build an iron-roofed house costing KES 30000. This house will help us get a more spacious house to live in and also in harvesting rainwater.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past 5 years, maize has been affected by lethal necrosis. My neighbor advised me to try out a new maize variety and its yield was good and this has brought joy and happiness into my life. My family can now have a meal in a day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is the lack of food. For my family to eat I have to work in people's farms weeding. This job is also not consistent and my pay is usually KES 100 per day. This money usually goes to purchasing food only. Sometimes we go to bed hungry and as a parent, this is usually disturbing to see my children go to bed hungry
