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 had the good news about the GiveDirectly transfer at around 5 pm when I had gone to the shop to purchase some foodstuff. I heard my neighbor celebrating receiving the transfer. I was very curious to know if I had gotten them too since I had left my phone at home. After reaching home my helper confirmed my account balance and informed me that I had received it too. I was very happy for receiving my transfer which was the only hope for a better future.
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 am optimistic that I will be able to live in a decent house like others in the village once I complete the construction of my house. In addition, I am living a stressful free seeing my daughter continuing with her studies without any interruption.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have desired to own a decent shelter for my family since the one we earlier had was old and collapsing which poses a great risk for our lives. I had no money to build a new one. After receiving the transfer, my priority was to construct a new house. I bought 90 buildings poles, iron sheets, thread, and timber and set aside KES 8000 for the labor costs. Currently, I am halfway to completing my house. I am very optimistic that I will be able to realize my dream of owning a nice house. Furthermore, I used KES 7000 to pay part of the school fees for my lastborn daughter who is in form 2. She had been sent home due to the fee arrears of KES 18,500. The remaining amount assisted me with food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Parts of my house are falling and it has been a long time almost 20 years I have not repaired it and receiving this money means I will use KES 30,000 to buy material and also pay the labourers as this will help me do away with the fear that it might fall any time and make it strong enough against cyclones.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I celebrated the new year with all my 9 children and 14 grandchildren. Having them come together and seeing grandchildren playing together merrily gave me a lot of happiness and joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My lastborn is in form one and I struggle to pay her school fees. She has a fee balance of KES 18,500 that am supposed to clear before the end of January and I have no money to clear this is giving me sleepless nights. My third born is also sick, he had a fatal accident which has led to pancreas and liver-related complications.
