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?
It was around 6 am when I was at home, I had just woken up, and I decide to switch on my phone to see if I have any communication. I was so surprised for receiving the message alert on my phone showing that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy about receiving the transfer since I did not imagine I will have such a huge amount of money in my life. I informed my husband who was very happy and we started planning how to spend it.
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 currently owning a dairy cow which will be of great help in terms of selling milk to support our basic needs as well as paying the school fees for my kids. In addition, I am hopeful that I will be able to stay in a decent durable shelter something that will give me peace of mind. I will not be required to always renovate it which was very costly and time-consuming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My priority was to pay part of the loan that had taken to purchase a motorbike on hire purchase. I was required to pay an installment of KES 10,000 per month. I had defaulted for a month due to the high cost of living, my husband was so worried that we might fail to repay the loan. I spent KES 10,000 to pay off part of the loan. In addition, I used KES 20,000 to purchase one local dairy cow a future investment for my 5 children who are still in primary school. I am planning to use the income from the selling of milk to pay for their fees. Similarly, will sell l offspring to support their education when they join secondary school. I also purchased 10 tonnes of building sand for KES 12,000. I am intending to make brinks which I will use to construct a spacious permanent house for my family. In addition, I am planning to purchase bags of cement with the remaining amount. Currently, we are living in a small house which is plastered with mud that is frequently washed off when it rains.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better comfort to my family of 5 children. I intend to build a two-bedroom house that can have ample space for my family. Currently, I do not have the privacy to change clothes and do other things. I will use 35,000 KES to build the house and buy three goats amounting to 9000 KES. The second transfer I will go and accomplish my carrier job, I had pursued dress making as a course but this was not enough. I plan to pursue tailoring and be able to do fashion design and be of help to my neighbors during the festive season. For the remaining amount, I will buy food and pay school fees for my children in primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was expectant last year and I was to give birth in May, but my pregnancy surpassed by two months and I gave birth in July. The doctors had already recommended me to Kilifi District hospital for a caesarian delivery. I was afraid of not being able to wake up after going through that process. I thank God I did not go anywhere and I delivered a bouncing boy which alleviated my stress. Holding my baby in my hands while he is safe and sound brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband was a motorcycle rider and he had done this job for more than 10 years. Life was well during this time but he was diagnosed with pneumonia which made him stay home without any job to do. This made life difficult for me to make both ends meet. My only job as a tailor can only make 200 KES per day which is not enough to buy food and pay school fees. I am overwhelmed with depression not knowing when he will be for to work and help me with the daily activities.
