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 4 pm, I was outside my house relaxing after coming to fetch water for my family. I received continuous message alerts on my phone. After checking, I realized that it was the transfer that I was promised by GiveDirectly during the enrollment stages. I was with my husband at home he had just arrived from his job at the iron quarry. We were very happy for receiving our transfer that would transform our living standards for the better.
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 am living a better life after accomplishing my desire of owning a piece of land for my family. I am very grateful for the transfer that has transformed our lives for the better. We no longer worry that the owner may send us away. Therefore, owning a piece of land is what makes our lives different.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For more than 4 years, I had been living on a piece of plot that belongs to my neighbor. I had just leased it from him, I had desired to own a plot of land that I could call my own. After receiving my transfer, I spent KES 12,000 to purchase half an acre of land which cost KES 35,000 in total. I am planning to use the second transfer to complete the payment of the remaining amount. In addition, I bought building materials including building poles and 20 iron sheets. I intended to construct a decent shelter for my family after relocating to my new piece of land.w With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We bought a piece of land where we currently live at KES 75,000 but only managed to pay KES 5000. After we signed the change of ownership my husband put a small structure for our family. The house is a single room and cannot accommodate a family of 6. I plan to pay off the debt of KES 70,000, put KES 30,000 on building a new house, and use half of the remaining amount to pay school fees for my children and the other half on food. Receiving this money means clearing my family's debt and also good housing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My child has not been feeling well for a while and since my husband did not have enough money to take her to the hospital I have been living fear. A few days ago he managed to give me KES 200 that I used for medication that brought joy and happiness in me because my child's health has improved.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been living in a single room with four children for a long time now, the house itself has no roof on one side. My wish has always been to find a way of building a new structure that can accommodate my family and also for privacy since my children are growing. My challenge is therefore lack of capital to build a proper house.
