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?
The moment we were promised that we would receive the unconditional transfer, I made a bit of always ensuring that my phone was on throughout and next to me for security purposes. I can recall that the moment I received my initial transfer, I was at home preparing supper. I suddenly heard my phone ringing and vibrating. Upon checking I realised that I had received cash from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed with happiness because this meant that I would accomplish my goals soon. I then shared the good news with my children who were all happy and grateful. And finally, we embarked on planning.
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 was able to build a decent house for my family. This is the greatest achievement that I have made in a short period. Secondly, I cleared the school fees arrears for my children and I am happy that they will be able to comfortably study without any worry that they would be sent home to collect the fees. I am so happy that the transfer from GiveDirectly brought so much happiness to our lives and lifted our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a decent house was among the key priorities that I had in mind upon receiving my initial transfer. This is because the house that we were living in was old and small, though I never had enough resources of building a different one due to financial constraints as a result of school fees responsibilities. I depend on farming in earning a livelihood and I am a mother of seven. Therefore I used KES 26,000 on construction. Secondly, I used KES 10,000 on paying the school fees arrears for my children. I am grateful and relieved for the support that lifted my living standards amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am married to a polygamous family but my husband is deceased. I provide for my children with the income that I earn from selling vegetables at home. This business does not allow me the flexibility to save and provide for my children since I earn a KES 200 profit on a good day. Receiving this money will mean that I will be able to build a better house because it has been on my plans for a long time. I also plan to buy a dairy cow that will provide milk for sale and boost the income that I earn in this business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being the sole provider for my family means that I pray to be in good health so that I can feed my family. I am happy that I have enjoyed good health in the last six months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Clearing school fees for my child who is in college is my biggest challenge. He has been out of school for some months now because I am not able to clear his school arrears. I am worried that if I fail to pay, he might miss his end of year exam and be forced to repeat the academic year.
