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?
I was still on my bed and had not woken up when my grandchild came running into my room, alerting me I had received my first transfer. Wow! I could not believe what I was hearing and requested to see the text message on my phone by myself. I indeed confirmed that I had received the transfer. My grandson and I murmured a prayer of thanks to the Lord as I knelt down. Throughout the day, it thrilled me in my heart.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Building the toilet for my family is the biggest difference that I have had since I received the transfer. I felt ashamed going to my neighbors seeking help from their toilets to answer the call of nature. It was also very unhygienic to share one toilet with over 20 people. I am happy that the situation has now changed and we have a toilet that we can access anytime. As a result; we have stopped polluting the environment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Imagine living in a surrounding without a toilet. This was the case in my home. The only toilet we had collapsed six months ago and since then I could not build a new toilet. This forced us to go for both the short and long calls in neighbor’s toilets and sometimes in the forest. When I received my first transfer, I spent a huge portion building a toilet for my family and relatives where we would answer a call of nature. Besides building the toilet, I spent KES 35000 to pay school fees for my last born, who was joining college. My son had finished his secondary education three years ago but due to lack of money, forced him to stay at home. I am a widow who earns a living by selling charcoal. I earn very little from the business and as a result; I saved nothing to pay for school fees for my son. I then spent KES 9500 on buying a new mattress after persevering over 20 years of sleeping on a sisal twine bed, which is very uncomfortable. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on buying 12 packets of 2kg maize flour, 4 kg of beans, 500grams of tea leaves, and 6kg of rice as food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired to invest in livestock because this is the only way I can save my money to earn me profit when I sell them after they multiply. I therefore, plan to start with 5 goats that will cost me 15000 KES. I also plan to extend my house with one room the one I have is not spacious enough to accommodate my grandchildren with whom I share a room. The remaining amount will be invested in my grandchildren's educational needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son secured a casual job in town late last year. He has been supportive of the family. In the last few months, he has been sending me some money that helps me with medication.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is health-related. I have been suffering from stomach ulcers for over 3 years. I have sought medication in the past but lack of enough money has made the condition to recur because I do not complete the required dose.
