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 just relaxing at home it was around 6:51 Pm when My grandchild came to inform me that GiveDirecly has sent the transfer. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. It was one of the happiest evenings I have ever heard. We all celebrated with my grandchildren. I knew it would be possible to purchase building materials and build a better house and more spacious house. We sat down with my children the following day and started planning on how to spend the money. GiveDirectly has fulfilled my dream of owning a better house.
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 have started building a better and more spacious house for my family. This was my main concern since we live in one small house which cannot host all my family comfortably. I had always wanted to build a better house but there was no money. I depend on a small-scale family of vegetables and maize. This is majorly for consumption. I have a daily cow and sometimes I would sell milk to get some income this was not enough to purchase the building materials. Whenever we had visitors there was no space to host them and this was so demoralizing. Currently, the construction is ongoing, When it is complete I will have a decent and spacious house. This is my dream and GiveDirectly has enabled me to fulfill it. I will live in a house free from dust and whenever I have visitors they would have a space to spend a night. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirecly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35,000 on purchasing the iron sheet, timber, nails, and other materials that were needed for construction. I have to build a decent and spacious house. The construction is ongoing, Waiting for the second transfer to complete the construction process. I have one small house which cannot host all my family comfortably. I spent KES 15,000 on paying school fees for my granddaughter who is in secondary school. She used to be sent home and this was affecting her performance. I depend on small-scale farming and dairy-keeping project. sometimes I would sell the milk and pay the school fees. Currently, she is studying well without being disturbed since the school fees are paid in full. I spent the remaining amount of money on food and household items,
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall be able to have a new house, and improve my health condition. I live in an old house now and the roof is leaking whenever it rains. I cannot say that I have any hope of fixing the roof because I have no income and I depend on my children who also have other responsibilities to feed their families. The leaky roof has recently become worse such that it has affected my health. I fear the coughing that am experiencing right now might turn into pneumonia or asthma but am happy the transfers will help me seek medical advice before it becomes worse.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My grandchildren came to visit me last month when they closed school and I was so happy that they spared some time to come and see me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge am facing currently is all about the housing conditions. I understand that as an old person I should be able to take care of myself because my immunity is not as strong as before but the poverty conditions am experiencing cannot allow me to have a good house which is favorable to my health.
