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 at home with my husband around 4:00 PM when I received a confirmation message of the first transfer. I was very excited to show my husband the message who was equally happy after reading and confirming the source. We had to review our plans that night to ensure that everything we had put in writing was still worth buying and withdrew the next day when I visited the nearby town.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the construction of a new house on the new piece of land that I had been looking forward to since I purchased. Even though the cost of the construction was high, I am glad that it finally happened after several attempts that we had been making as a family. GiveDirectly transfer was so instrumental that I cannot even imagine how it would have been without them. I am grateful and looking forward to another leap once I receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Construction of a new house on the piece of land I had purchased some months before receiving the transfer was a priority after receiving the first transfer. I spent a total of KES 40000 on sourcing construction materials that included; iron sheets and building poles. I had been planning to move my family to the new piece of land but the cost of the construction has always been so high that I could not raise enough money to carry out the task. I also purchased two sheep at KES 7000 which I am now rearing as future assets. I also used the remaining amount on foodstuff, clothing, and other items for my family of six.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family is growing and I am going to be a mother of four children soon. I have no asset or any source of income to sustain my family save for the land that I have. Receiving this money will enable me to do poultry farming since it requires less input and time to do so. With poultry farming, I will be able to sell eggs and chicken and get money to buy food, and pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been saving money in a women's group in my area and I got my lump sum in November. I was able to clear my children's arrears and stock food in my home. Accomplishing my plans with the money brought me happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We do casual jobs with my husband to take care of our children. The money that we get is not sustainable and sometimes our children are sent home for school fees. Financial constraint is the major challenge that we face.
