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 the farm cultivating my crops when I heard a message notification from my phone. It was around 5:26 Pm. When I checked out the message I felt so happy because it was a message confirming that I have received some money from GiveDirectly. I immediately called my spouse and informed him. He was so happy too. We planned on how to spend the money together with my spouse. I went to withdraw the money the following day. I knew we would be able to build a better and more spacious house. I am so grateful for the support from GiveDirectly because it has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Building a better and more spacious house is the biggest difference in my daily life. When I received the money I was in a position to buy building materials and pay the workers who constructed the house. We lived in a small house that could not host all the family comfortably. I had always wanted to build a spacious house but I did not have the money. I depend majorly on small-scale farming of vegetables. I sell the vegetables at the market to earn some income. The amount of money that I would get through this is so small. I was not in a position to buy some of the building materials. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because IO knew I would be able to build a house. Currently, I have a decent and spacious house. Whenever we have visitors we have a spacious house to host them. we are so grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 50,000 on purchasing timber and iron sheets and building a better and more spacious house. We live in a small house that cannot host all my family comfortably. Currently, I have a decent house and I am so grateful for the support because we live so comfortably. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Currently I am living in a single house which I feel uncomfortable with especially when I have visitors. I will be glad to build a new one bedroom house which will cost me approximately KES 50,000. Buying new clothes for my 1 year old child will be my other priority.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After delivery of my child, she was put in a nursery care for 5 months. I was much happy and greatful when she was discharged on October 2021.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
For the last two years to the present I have been buying 1 litre of milk costing KES 60. I consider it a challenge because my husband's daily income from motorbike taxi sometimes fails to cater for all daily needs. Owning a dairy cow will bring me joy and cut the daily household's expenses.
