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?
On receiving the money, I was filled with happiness and hope of accomplishing all I had been planning. At that moment, I was with my husband and children taking our breakfast at home. On showing them the message, they were happy about the news, as they were all expecting. I collected the following day from the shopping center before making the first purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved standard of living after a great transformation in my household within a short time. The two houses are under construction at the moment and the foodstuff that I bought would not have been possible without the transfer from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It was an agreement with my household that on receiving the transfer; we needed to fence around the grazing field, construct a new house for my children, and also a small kitchen among other plans. I am glad that after receiving it, my husband never changed a thing but stuck with the plan that we had. A buying a barbed wire worth KES 7000, we fenced around the grazing field and subdivided it into paddocks making it easier for grazing. I also bought 23 iron sheets at - eight for the kitchen construction and 15 for the small house for my children. Even though the construction is still on, I feel relieved that my children will soon get ample space to read and sleep, unlike previously when they would get out every night to the neighbor's place. I am glad that after spending KES 37000 on the construction materials and the labor charges; I am confident that the project will soon be complete and the two houses are ready to be used. In addition, I spent the remaining KES 9000 on foodstuff for my family of six. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the great support that has brought a lot of changes in my household.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a housewife and I have been yearning to start and run a business of our own within the village. Because we are living close to the main road, this triggered me to tap the opportunity and at the same time make me busy. This will supplement what my husband earns as income from the motorcycle taxi business. We intend to use approximately KES 30,000 of the transfer to start us off because we own the premise yet no one uses it. Therefore, receiving this money will mean having an alternative source of income and I feel elated for that.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Our last-born daughter started her journey of education 2 months ago and this has brought joy in our lives. I am no longer busy taking care of her because I have free time which I am expecting to utilize shortly. I feel relieved having time to focus on other things like running a business that can improve our lives.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial inadequacies are the major challenge we are currently facing. My husband works as a motorcycle taxi rider earning an approximate wage of KES 150 a day. This is an unsustainable income because we have a family of 6 whom we all depend on the household head for upkeep. Additionally, we have 0.1 acres of land in which we have grown maize solely for consumption and there is no surplus for sale. I feel sad that we have been unable to save some cash and use it to start a business of our own.
