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 coming from looking after my animals and was taking a rest when I got a message alert on my phone. Since I could not understand the contents of the text message, I requested my helper who was with me to check the contents. He later on disclosed to me that GiveDirectly had sent the first transfer. I was overjoyed and thanked them for helping me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My living house was in a very bad situation and my plan was to renovate it using building stones. It's walls were built using mud and had so many cracks that it was almost collapsing. I could not do the renovation on my own and my sons whom I depend on could not help because they have their own families to take care. Upon receiving the transfer, I managed to purchase stones to rebuild the house. It's now in a stable state though it's a semi permanent. I am planning to continue renovating and be more permanent using the second transfer.This to me is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, my living house was really in a bad shape. It was not spacious and it's walls were full of cracks and unstable. I could not readily renovate it at my own cost. When I received the first transfer, I spent a bigger portion on buying the building materials which include stones, cement and sand. I also paid for the labour cost involved in the construction. Apart from this, I also spent Ksh 10000 on paying school fees on for my two sons, one in high school and the other in primary school. Thirdly, I also replaced the old beddings that I have been using for years, I bought a new mattress at KSH. 5000. Lastly, I did a shopping on foodstuffs which include a bag of maize and vegetables daily for my family. This ensured that at least we have adequate food daily unlike before when I could sell charcoal and still be unable to make ends meet.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source of income for my family. I plan to spend KES 40000 to start a kiosk that will act as a source of income and I will be assured of getting KES 500 per day. I will further spend KES 30000 to renovate my house and add one more room so it can comfortably accommodate my family of 8. The remaining amount will cater for other household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter secured a causal job in town in July. She has been supportive to the family. Sometimes she is sending me money that helps me on buying food for the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Scarcity of food and water is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This is due to the devastating drought that we are currently facing in our area. I buy 4 jerricans of 20 liters of water per day that costs me KES 200. This is very expensive for me since I have to buy food daily for my family of 8. We occasionally skip meals or even borrow from other relatives something that ashames me a lot.
