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 can still remember very well just like yesterday when I heard my phone ringing. This was so unusual since I was not expecting any call or message at such an hour. I then asked my son who was also, my helper, to check the content of the message. After checking, he realized it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Wow! I just wish how I reacted. I was very excited and I don't think if I will ever forget this very day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, some timber, and nails. This was for the purpose of the renovation of my house which had a leaky roof. During the rainy seasons, I used to sleep at my brother-in-law's house which sometimes I felt like I have become a burden to them. It is now a great relief because I no longer worry about the rains. I then paid school fees for my granddaughter who is in secondary school. I had to pay in advance so that she could not be sent home every now and then like before. I also bought a new mattress to replace the old one which had worn out. I am now sleeping comfortably like the rest.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The financial support from GiveDirectly empowered me to renovate my house which for now makes the biggest difference in my daily life. I have always been wishing to live comfortably like the rest but this was all in vain because of the poverty life. My spouse is very old and we are both jobless we used to depend on our children for the daily meals and this made it hard to construct a new house for us since they also depend on the casual jobs and they have families to look after. This made me lose hope of sleeping in a better place but then God answered my prayer by bringing GiveGirectly into my life. My house id now decent and the issue of rains is no longer a bother to me. I will no longer be seeking any shelter from relatives.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is food insecurity that has really affected my family for a very long time. This is attributed to poor rainfall yet I depend solely on subsistence farming for a living. Since I do not have any source of income, it is quite difficult to buy food thus my family can starve for up to 2 days.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am mostly happy in the morning after a whole night of rest. This is because I feel so relaxed and energetic enough to undertake my daily duties.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My biggest desire is to renovate my house to save myself the misery of feeling cold every night. It gets unbearable during rainy seasons since the roof is almost open. I will therefore use part of the transfer for this purpose. Besides, I will purchase a motorbike for my son and this will enable him to earn more unlike currently where he depends on other people's bikes to ferry customers.
