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 awakened by the loud vibration on my mobile phone at around 7 in the morning. I was a bit confused and shocked since it was so rare for me to receive a message at such an hour. I, therefore, decided to check only to realize it was from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed with happiness and started calling all my family members and informing them about the good news. It was a great moment for us because we knew my poverty life will come to an end with these transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now sheltering in a new decent and iron-roofed house. Before GiveDirectly came into my life, I was sheltering in a small hut that was almost collapsing due to its horrible state. Also during the rainy seasons, I had to seek shelter from my neighbors and my items were left in the open which led to severe loss and damage. I had been longing to at least renovate the house but because I am a widow and jobless, I could not afford it. I have been depending on my children for my daily bread for the last ten years. This was a stressful situation and I had even lost hope in life. I am so grateful to God because if it were not for the support, I would still be sleeping under the small hut.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer in buying beddings which include a new modern wooden bed and a mattress at a total of KES 10000. Previously I used to sleep on the traditional beds made of ropes. It has been tough all along and at times opted to sleep on the chair because of the pains that I have been going through in the bed. Also, I bought building materials such as poles, iron sheets, and the labor charges at a total of KES 32000. This was purposely for the construction of a new house because the initial one was in critical condition and almost collapsing. Finally, with the remaining cash, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is about to fall because it is old and it is not spacious as well. Receiving this money means using 25,000 KES to build a new two-bedroom house that will accommodate me well. I will also use some of the money to buy a mattress and a bed as I sleep on a traditional woven mat which is very old.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had no shoes and I was walking around barefooted in this hot weather. During the December holidays, my son came for the festive celebrations and bought me two pairs of sandals.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My house is leaking and during rainy seasons I face it rough as the water from my roof wets my beddings making such nights stressful, at times the mud gets wet to a level that it starts falling. Putting food on the table is also a challenge as I depend on farming and due to this prolonged drought all the maize I planted dried up.
