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?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy I remember it was around 9 am when I heard a message tone from my phone. That time I was taking breakfast. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. It was message confirming that I have received Money from GiveDirectly. I informed my children and they were all happy. I knew I would be able to build a house and help my son who is in college. I went and withdrew the money the same day.
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 was able to relocate my son who is in college. My son when he joined the college he was living in hostels. He was required by ghetto school to look for a rental house outside. I depend on small scale farming at home and I do not have another source of income. I was so stressed up on where to get the money. I could have sold my only cow. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felted so happy because I knew I won't sell my dairy cow. I knew I will sort out the expenses for my son. Currently he is living peaceful and study well in school since I had paid the school fees. I have peace of mind to do other activities at home. GiveDirectly came at the point when I needed support the most. I'm so happy for the support because GiveDirectly has changed my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 15,000 to pay rent and buy household items for my son who is in college. Her was relocating from hostel where he used to live to rental houses outside the school. I bought building materials and build a house for my son. He used to live with his elder brother before, since the elder brother got married this was not possible again. I settle down my medical bills. I was unwell and had visited a doctor who prescribe some medicine for me. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widowed mother of four who wishes to see my children have a better life than how we are currently. Having seen from relatives, neighbors, and friends who went to school and secured good jobs living in better standards, I have built a passion for education and am certain that my children will only realize their goals through it. I have a son currently in Kenya Medical Training College-Nyeri campus and being the hope of my hard work, I am planning to use KES 30000 from my transfer to pay his school fees thus I am certain he will have ample time in school to study, and soon he will graduate and secure a good job. In addition, I will use another part of my transfer to build a decent iron-roofed kitchen to replace my current old grass-thatched house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning just after I have woken up. I feel blessed to see a new day full of new opportunities to make my life and family better.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my husband seven years ago and life hasn't been easy for me since he was our breadwinner. This was a new beginning in my life since I had to take care of full responsibility for my family. I don't have any formal job thus I am left to rely on subsistence farming which isn't reliable with long droughts in our area. To me, lack of finances to meet my family's needs has been the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
