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?
It was in the evening and I was having my supper when I got the SMS confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I felt great peace in my because I had a lot of things that I desired to do but I didn't have much of an ability to since we only depended on our small business of selling some veterinary medicines. This business could hardly raise enough money to even meet with our family's immediate needs let enabling me address some the challenges we were facing as a family. I was so happy because I only got the ability to address them through GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I am now more grateful that we are assured of having a nice meal every day, especially for lunch and supper which wasn't as possible before. O can now confidently and comfortably say that we are living a good and healthy life in our house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 25000 on making a partial payment for a piece of land that we intend to buy because it is by the road which makes it a very viable option for long term business investment. Its value will definitely appreciate with time, and we could potentially end up selling it at a much higher price than the one we bought it at and go invest in something else. However, my husband and I settled on building rental houses that will be out regular source of income which will be enabling us meet our family's daily immediate needs. This makes me so happy and proud, all thanks to GiveDirectly. I also spent KES 10000 on replenishing our business of selling some veterinary medicines, because it has been our sole source of income and its stock was running low. It was running out of stock which was very bad for its reputation, therefore, when we got the money we made one of the key priorities in spending it in to be making sure that all regularly asked for medicines are available so as to restore our regular clients' faith in us. This business is very important to us and it can only get better as it will be complemented by our rental houses business. We are so proud as a family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me get my secondary school certificate. I completed my secondary school in 2018 but since then I have been unable to collect my certificate because of the huge fee balances I left there. So many opportunities like jobs and scholarships have come but it was not easy to grab them just because I don't have my certificate. This thing has been stressing me a lot until I heard that GiveDirectly is coming. So now am very happy because I know if I get this money I will be able to clear my fee balance of 72,607KES. By doing this I will now be able to apply for any job that will come along or any scholarship.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In September this year my left to mombasa for his personal duties. So that day in the evening, he came back and I saw a bag which he didn't leave with. After taking supper he ordered me to open the bag and to my surprise, I saw a very new dress which I had been admiring to own for a very long time. I really felt happy, loved and special to him.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the big challenge am now facing. So many job opportunities are coming through but it's very unfortunate I can't apply because I don't have my secondary school certificate. My husband who is a professional veterinary officer has not been formally employed but just depends on some neighbors to call him. So it has been a very hard time for us since we have been missing some the basic needs because of unemployment issue.
