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?
That day, I was headed to fetch water in a nearby river around 4 pm. That's when I received a message alert on my phone but couldn't tell what it was because I am illiterate. On my return home, I gave my phone to my helper who confirmed that I had received KES 55,000. I was excited for the better part of that evening.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I have bought enough construction materials. This means I will be able to construct my house within a short time. I had desired to build a better house for the past five years but couldn't afford it due to school fees burdens.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
All my kids are now grown up and at my age, I am unable to smear a mud wall house. I
Therefore, I spent KES 17, 000 on 24 Iron sheets of timber and KES 6,000 on four construction trees in preparation for building a timber-framed house.
Secondly, I spent KES 4,000 on a bag of maize. This is because of food scarcity in our area due to the maize pandemic. To get food we normally rely on pot making where we get KES 500 on sale of two pots.
Lastly, I spent KES 6,500 on the latest clothing fashion. This has made my family more decent. I also spent KES 6,000 on clearance of school fees arrears and KES 1,500 on a goat as a long-term investment. I have saved the rest for house construction.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been struggling to raise school fees of about KES 50000 annually for my two school-going children. I am a widow who makes and trades on pottery to gain some income for sustaining my family and educating my children. This occupation is tedious to me, probably due to my advanced age. In that regard, receiving this money means that it shall be easier for me to raise school fees this year. May God bless GiveDirectly for this grant.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Food inadequacy had been a common experience in my family for over 8 years (sigh). Luckily, this year we are having sufficient food because our maize crops have performed well. This has brought lots of happiness to my family and I am now focused on other basic needs beside food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints act as the biggest challenge we are facing as a family. Imagine struggling to educate your children and eventually seeing them struggle to survive after completing their studies? My daughter is stressed up because she has never been employed and has not managed to start up a business after completing her studies. She is a tailor by profession, but we have no capital for funding her dream business. Also, my eldest son has not joined college to further his studies because we do not have the needed funds. These pain me a lot.
