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 saw a message notification early in the morning. I was curious to know its contents. When I read through, I realised that it was an Mpesa message I had received my token of KES 55000 from them. I was very happy to receive the money from GiveDirectly. I knew this would help me change my life completely.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a nice shelter to live in with my family. I have never enjoyed a good shelter since my previous house is grass thatched, leaking during rains. I had to always replace the roof every now and then. My dream was to one day build a new iron roofed house which was never possible due to the financial challenges. Currently, I am in the process of building a new iron roofed house. To me, this is the greatest achievement in my life is I can now comfortably access decent and good shelter.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was previously living in a grassy thatched house that was leaking during the rains. Thus my priority was to build a new house for my family. When I received my first transfer, I bought building materials such iron sheets, building poles and timber to facilitate this. I am happy that I will have access to a decent shelter unlike before. I also bought a new bed and a mattress at KES 8500 which I am currently sleeping on comfortably. I also purchased two goats at 5000, which I am currently keeping and I am hoping to see them reproducing and increase. I can readily depend on them in case of a financial problem. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my households basic needs such as foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a safe and conducive shelter has been our greatest desire as a family for long. The one we are currently residing in is grass thatched and every time it rains, it leaks and that has continuously subjected us cold and fear of waking up one day without a place to call home -due to its deplorable state. Having this accomplished will give me inner peace to engage in other meaningful activities. And since my husband is a water vendor in Mombasa, I intend to start a livestock trading business that will supplement his meager income. And that is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day, it is the moment that I'm most relaxed with no much chores to do. My day is always busy especially morning hours because everything stops at me. I have to ensure all chores are completed and the day's food is obtained.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of better employment opportunities has been the biggest hardship in my life. Having no alternative sources of income can at times be very challenging. My husband who is the sole breadwinner has to endure the back-breaking job of supplying water in Mombasa using a cart in order to sustain our needs. Here at home, agriculture is no longer doing good due to uneven weather patterns, our stores run dry before the next harvest and that explains the kind of struggle we have to endure to get even a decent meal on our table.
