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?
That day on the 8th, at around 5.30 pm I was taking my evening tea when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and relayed the good news to my family and we all celebrated because we had never received such a lump sum.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is building a modern Iron roofed and spacious house. I had desired to build an Iron roofed better for the past year's four years but couldn't afford it but GiveDirectly came right on time.
I am also grateful because I have never received such a lump sum, the highest amount ever received is KES 2,000 from my kids.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of four and have been anemic for the past 25 years as a result I cannot do heavy tasks. I, therefore, majorly depend on my elder kids who are working and also depend on small-scale maize and sukuma wiki farming for food.
Secondly, I have been living in a tiny grass-thatched house built about six years ago after the demolition of an old one. For four years now I have desired to build a modern Iron-roofed house but couldn't afford it because with my blood condition I rely on my kids for everything.
Fortunately, recently, when GiveDirectly came I saw this as an opportunity to build the house of my dreams. Therefore, I spent KES 35,000 on building a modern and spacious house. Of this, KES 19,000 was used on 21 pieces of Iron sheets, KES 12,000 was spent on the purchase of construction trees and cutting timber out of them. Also, KES 1,500 was spent on 7 kilos of nails.
Additionally, I spent KES 5000 on a dairy goat because it reproduces fast and will be a long term for my family.
Lastly, I spent KES 8000 on two bags of maize. This is because, before GiveDirectly, I used to buy two kilos of maize flour at KES 120 which could sustain me for three days but the two bags will sustain me for a few months. I also spent KES 3000 on the latest clothing fashion and the rest I have saved for emerging household expenditures.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing for my family because I currently live in a one-roomed house with my two children. I plan to build a bigger iron-roofed house with KES 30000 of the transfer so that I can accommodate my children and guests whenever they come to visit. It will also enable me to harvest clean rainwater for drinking because I fetch water from a nearby river that is not clean and is far from my place.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My failing health has been a constant worry since I cannot do any hard job but having my son around for the last 3 months has given me joy because he assists me in doing these jobs and ensuring that everything is in order at home.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Having a health problem that requires regular check-ups has changed the way that I do my work since I cannot do some of the jobs that I used to do. This has affected my income and I have to rely on my son to provide money and for me.
