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?
Being a field officer, I usually report to work on a daily basis. GiveDirectly gave me a pleasant surprise on this given day by topping up my MPESA account. I had just got off my shift and was at home taking taking well deserved rest when I received the alert. I was extremely happy and could not hold my joy as I saw my life taking a positive turn. I withdrew the amount exactly after two weeks and put it to good use.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the funds from GiveDirectly, I will be able to pay campus fees for my wife for some few semesters atleast enabling her to continue sharpening her education skills. I will also be able to boost my earnings in a great way.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The amount received was KSH 55000 and the funds enabled me to complete a number of tasks I had set. KSH 30000 was conveniently set aside to clear the arrears I had on the motorbike I use which I had not finished paying. Also being a farmer, I was able to purchase 3 goats and 5 chicken at KSH 9000 and KSH 1300 respectively. This enhanced my everyday skills of animal rearing. I was also able to buy some school uniforms for my kid worth KSH 2000 and the remainder KSH 12700 was put in savings account for future use.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am living in a very small single roomed mud house for more than 10 years now. I built this house when I was still in my primary school level. I am a married man with one child but my financial status has not allowed me to build a better house. My financial status has not changed for 10 years now because if unemployment status. I have been having a desire to live in a better house than this for years. I have been longing for the Givedirectly program to reach my village so that I can change my life and therefore I will spend part of the transfer to rebuild and increase 2 rooms of my house and the rest of the transfers will pay fees for my wife who is in second year university.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife started a small business of selling green vegetables and dried fish last month. It has boasted the household revenue and I am happy I can get at least 2 meals in a day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on casual jobs in the construction sector which is unreliable and getting it is unpredictable with low income not exceeding KES 10,000 per month. It cannot meet my family's basic needs. Food insecurity is the biggest challenge in this house hold and incase someone falls sick, seeking for medication is a challenge too.
