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 very happy knowing that everything was set to start just after confirming the receipt of my first transfer. I had a lot of activities lined up, and the receipt was a confirmation of the same. I was alone and had to call my husband who permitted me to go ahead to withdraw and source the construction materials that we had enlisted. I withdrew the following day and do as we had agreed on with my husband.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the hope of soon moving into the new house after an intensive period of construction in the past few weeks. The small one we had been living in could not accommodate all the household members and any additional visitor would either displace one member or be taken to the neighbor's house to seek a bed space. The new construction will provide enough space not only for us but also for any visitor who may come around.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 50000 of my first transfer on the purchase of the construction materials towards a new house for my family of six. I purchased 22 iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails among other construction materials, and later paid KES 6000 labor charges to the construction who had been working on the construction. I had been living in a single small house but am glad that I am soon moving in as the construction is almost done. I spent the remaining KES 4000 on foodstuff that we are still using to date.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have no income at the moment, considering that farming activities are no longer productive in my region because of persistent droughts. I rely on my husband who is a casual labourer in a large sugar farm. He sends me only KES 1500 per month while my needs costs me about KES 3000. I there fore need a dairy cow to get money from selling milk. I will buy a dairy cow at about KES 30,000. I will the build a house. Iron roofed house would last longer and give me comfort living in a better conditioner house than the old grass thatched house that leaks whenever it rains. I will spend a further KES 40,000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, I am happy to have born a boy child. My all first three were girls, I needed a boy to feel secure because by nature, they will all be married off. Without a boy, an old grandmother may not have someone to closely look after. I am happy that I have begotten mine.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I face is living in a delapidated house. My children are growing in this conditions, where they are in a wet room during rainy seasons, because the roof leaks. I don't have the ability to build a new one because I do not have a source of income. My husband's money goes to meeting my family food requirements only. I hope to get GiveDirectly transfers and build a house at the same time buy a cow so that I can b gin making an income from selling milk.
