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 very early in the morning when my brother came to my house t inform me that he has received the transfer from Give directly. When I checked my phone there was a message confirming that I have equally received the transfer. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount in my entire life. I immediately informed my spouse and she was so happy. We knew we would be able to purchase building materials and build a better house. We lived in a small grass thatched house before. I stayed for five days and later went to withdraw the transfer. We are so happy because GiveDirectly has improved 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 for my family is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because we used to live in a small grass thatched house that could not host all my family well. I had always wished to own a better house but the casual jobs that I usually do earn me a small income. The money that I would get from this was only for basic needs and clothes for my children. Living in a grass thatched house was so demoralizing, that I could shy off to welcome friends to my house because it was not smart. I knew I would build a better house one day. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I found this an opportunity to build a house. I have to build a decent timber house and we living comfortably with my family. I no longer shy off to welcoming visitors like before. I have peace of mind to conduct my daily activities and improve the standard of my family. I am so much grateful because this was not easy for me without GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend KES 37,000 to build a decent and spacious house for my family. We lived in a small grass thatched house which could not host all my family members comfortably. Currently, I have a timber house and we are living well. I started a poultry-keeping project with KES 5,000. I will expand this shortly. The rest of the money I spend on food and clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved nutritional status for my children. In our culture, we value milk from cows because of its nutritional value. At the moment I do not have one and I purchase milk from villagers at KES 20 per liter. Getting this money is also a challenge since I am a casual laborer working as a timber cutter. My pay is usually KES 200 per day whenever we get a job. This money I spend on purchasing food including milk nothing and nothing more to save. So when I get this transfer I will spend KES 25000 to purchase a dairy cow. This will be my biggest joy since my family can now get milk for consumption and even sell some to generate income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have 2 children in pre-primary school and I was able to pay for their school fees using the money I got from timber cutting. This has brought joy and happiness into my life and I am at peace knowing they will have a humble time studying as I struggle to find them food
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The largest challenge is the lack of basic needs for my children like food. I am a casual laborer doing timber cutting however, my pay is KES 200 per day whenever I get one and this money is subdivided among other competing basic needs. Sometimes we are forced to go to bed without food and this is usually very discouraging to me as a parent to see my children go to bed hungry.
