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 8:00 am when I woke up with the mindset of picking my phone from my niece who had taken it the previous nice since I needed it charged. On entering their homestead, I would hear some cheerful noises and become curious to witness the fun they were sharing. To my utter surprise, they were celebrating the receipt of the transfer. Everyone was already aware and had confirmed the receipt and my niece could not hesitate to inform me of mine too as my phone was on as well. The news was exciting since I needed to construct a new house. I headed straight to the market the same day to purchase some clothing and foodstuff that I needed in the household.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the construction of a new house after receiving my first transfer. It has been a dream that is finally coming true. At the moment, I am working on smearing the walls which is the final stage in the construction before moving in so that I can renovate the old hut I lived in and let it serve as a kitchen.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been living alone in a single grass-thatched hut after separation from my family many years ago. I had been hoping to renovate the hut since it was getting older on the roof but had never been possible since I had no consistent source of income. Receiving this transfer allowed me not only to renovate the old hut, but also to put up a new, bigger, and stronger structure. I managed to obtain 20 iron sheets, building poles, nails, timber, and paid the labor charges at a combined cost of KES 35000. I also made some household purchases that included foodstuff, bedding, and other clothing at KES 15000. I am grateful to see the construction coming to an end and will soon be moving in.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I get this money I want to build a new iron-roofed house. The one I am currently living in is old and leaking when it rains. I was married but we separated so I am currently living alone. The iron-roofed house will increase my status in the village, I feel I have been sidelined by my neighbors because of the status of my house. When I try to approach any lady for marriage usually decline for being poor. This money will help me redeem my dignity as a man when I build this house. I expect to spend around KES 20000. Usually, it could be more expensive but I intend to cut costs by employing one builder and assist him in whatever he will need during construction.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is the time I am grateful to have woken up alive. It motivates me to work even harder to earn a living.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been a lack of money. I depend on a casual job which sometimes it's hard to find in a day. Even the one I get pays KES 200 per day of which may not be sufficient to meet all my needs. The house I am living in is in a poor state and I am worried it could collapse at any time.
