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 son narrating stories about our experience of the day when I received the messages alert on my phone. I remember it was around 5 pm, I had completed my job of charcoal burning and was relaxing while chatting. My elder son confirmed the account balance and informed me that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt extremely happy and relieved of all the pain and stress of work after receiving my transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Seeing the various construction materials laying at home gives me confidence that I will be able to own a decent house for myself. I can not wait to accomplish my dream by living in my own house which will restore the happiness that I had lost for over 7 years. Previously, I was forced to seek refuge from my neighbors after my house was brought down by the fire.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is over 7 years since my house got burned down by the fire since then I had not been able to build another house due to my poverty status. This is because my charcoal burning activity could not earn me enough income to acquire the required building materials. For all those years, I had been seeking shelter from my neighbors something that troubled me a lot. After receiving the transfer, I prioritize the construction of a new house by purchasing the building materials like poles, timber, 20 iron sheets, nails, and threads. I also paid all the labor costs. I remained with KES 5000 which assisted me in purchasing sufficient food for the family since I did not have any food stock.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I currently do not own a house. The burning down of my house was the genesis of misery and I was forced to seek refuge from neighbours. About seven months ago, my son built me a one bedroom house where I stay currently. This has really undermined my reputation in the village given that I have nowhere to call my home. Immediately I receive the GiveDirectly transfers, I will build a three-bedroom house for my family at a cost of KES 60,000. One room will house my grandchildren, the other room for my visitors and the third room for myself.
I will use a further KES 30,000 to buy 10 goats each valued at KES 3,000 for domestic rearing. The goats will later help in the education of my grandchildren when they get to secondary school given that their father does not have a reliable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have heard about GiveDirectly helping people from neighbouring locations for long. When I heard that they will finally be starting operations in my village I was very happy and full of hopes.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
At my age (67 years), I have found myself engaging in energy draining charcoal burning to put something on the table. This has affected my health and I often experience chest pains. I have been to several hospitals without success. The doctors recommended that I seek medical attention in town but this has not materialized given that I lack the money to seek medication in more advanced health centers.
