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 remember very well it was around 6 AM when I heard my phone vibrating continuously. This was so unusual because no one has ever sent me a message or call at that hour. This made me check who it could be. Upon checking, I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly, I had finally received my first transfer as promised. I fet happy and upto date I still have the excitement.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having my own permanent house makes the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because the previous one was very small and its condition was not good at all. Ever since I was married I have never enjoyed the peace of sleeping under a decent house. My children used to seek shelter from their friends, especially during the winter seasons. This issue has been stressing me all along but then I did not have the money to buy the required materials for the construction of a new house. The coming of GiveDirectly in my life has made everything to change completely. I am currently sleeping under a spacious permanent house which is well plastered. I am now happily living with all my family members, unlike before whereby some used to stay at our relatives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since in have been yearning to own a permanent house for years, I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as some bags of cement, sand, some pieces of iron sheets, bricks. my previous house was in poor condition and very small it could not accommodate all my family members. I addition to that I paid the mason as his labour charge of KES 10000. The remaining amount of money, I bought some sufficient foodstuffs for my family that would last for at least two months.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to build a house because, I have been staying in a small house which is also leaking. I am forced to seek for shelter in my son's house who is married and this is not allowed according to our culture. Building this house will make me live a comfortable life and it will earn me my respect. Am also planning to buy an oxen and ox plough so that it can help me upscaling my farming and hence, more harvests.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. It is at this time when I am able to do my chores like burning charcoal because it is not hot compared to afternoon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is financial constraints. This has forced me to stay in a small house which is also leaking during the rain seasons something that makes to seek for shelter in my son's house. This has ashamed me for long since I get more ridicule from my neighbours and I never enjoy life.
