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?
When I woke up one morning, a school-going child took my phone to confirm what time it was on to find the transfer message on the phone. He hurriedly told me the good news about the transfer. My heart was engulfed by a cloud of happiness which made me ululate for receiving the promised money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The main difference that I can testify of GiveDirectly is that the organization empowered and enabled me to get a how at a time when I was desperately in need of a house. By the time I received the transfer, I was sleeping in my son's house something that was not pleasing me at all but I had no alternative.
As of now, I will be in my house soon and this gives me peace of mind. If it were not for the organization, I would not have plans of leaving my son's house anytime soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the priority was to construct a house since mine had collapsed and I used to sleep in my son's house. Concerning this, my son who is the helper bought some building materials and the construction is now in the process. I also bought some iron sheets for roofing once the walls of the house are complete. Thereafter, I bought a solar panel for lighting purposes because initially, I was using a traditional light that required kerosene to operate which was expensive for me. The cost of each of the items bought is known to my son since I do not know how to read and keep records. For the remaining amount, I spent it fully on food.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a proper house for me. My husband died 27 years ago and I have no one to rely on. My house is small and the walls are falling off. I will use KES 50000 to build a better house with two rooms and an iron sheet roof. I will use the remaining amount to buy a bed and mattress to avoid the cold floor.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son who works in town visited me in the month of February. I was very happy because he bought some shopping for me and gave me some money that helps me with other household expenses.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Scarity of food is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This is due to the ravaging of the drought that we are experiencing in our area. I rely on subsistence farming as a means of livelihood. It has been over 2 years since we experience ample rainfall in our area, and the farm is no longer productive for me. I opted to work as a casual laborer ( selling firewood), the little amount I get from this job is not enough to cater to all my needs. Due to this, I have been struggling to put food on my table and sometimes I seek help from my relatives something that makes me uncomfortable.
