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?
At that moment I received the message from Givedirectly I was doing my house chores. I heard my phone vibrate and upon checking, it was an MPESA message confirming my first transfer. I was very excited and thankful for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the plan to commence constructing a three-roomed modern house.This will save me time and also reduce the expense of buying mud for smearing the house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the exciting news of the receipt of my first transfer, I budgeted KES 31,000 to construct a house that I had always planned. This dream was not possible since I didn't have a lump sum amount of money. I purchased iron sheets and timber which I plan to commence the project after receiving my second transfer since I have to purchase more items. The thought of building a timber-made house came in since it has been difficult and expensive to get the mud to smear the existing house I have. With KES 20,000 I used to pay fees for my children who were joining form one and am happy that they have settled for the entire term in school. With the remaining amount, I spent on buying food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a mud house, we smear every week due to rains. This is a lot of work since we have to go for smearing materials from a distance (a distinct white soil type that is used for this purpose). This is also tiresome and uses a lot of water. We have been having plans as a family to construct a wooden or bricks house. We plan to use KES 30,000 to construct a bigger, two-bedroom house. For the rest of the amount, I plan to also purchase a water tank that will help me collect clean drinking water which is also a problem. Receiving this money, therefore, means better housing for my family and a great reduction of the daily workload.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have two children in their final year of primary education. It is progress that every parent is proud of. I'm happier that my children are progressing well even than the burden of school that is I foresee. I have hope that in the next five years they will be through and can live on their own as they further their education.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge is insufficient finances. I have six children all in school. Meeting their daily needs like food and clothing as well as paying school fees is the main challenge. I operate a small beauty shop at a nearby center, the much I make goes to meeting these needs. This means we hardly have extra money to save up for other home developments like a better housing.
