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 biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to fulfil some of the things like having a decent house, that to me seemed impossible. I never thought that I would renovate my house which was in a terrible and pitiable state due to financial hardships. When I received the money, I purchased enough building materials like iron sheets and building poles to facilitate the renovation of my house, and this makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message notification around 4 am. When I woke up to check the contents of the message, and I realized it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer. I was filled with happiness because the transfer would, later on, fulfil some things which to me seemed impossible, such as renovating my own house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My children had been sent home because of the huge fees arrears that I have not been able to clear on time. When I received my first transfer, I paid KES 10800 to clear their fee arrears, both in high school and primary school for them to continue with their studies comfortably. I am also in the process of renovating my own house since its roof is dilapidated and the poles need to be replaced so that it may remain stable. I bought iron sheets and building poles to facilitate the rebuilding of this house to be decent and stable again. I am spending the remaining amount on providing daily foodstuffs to my family as well as doing some shopping on clothing and other household necessities.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For me, educating my children comes first and this is simply because I want them to have access to opportunities such as jobs and higher education that I never had because of my illiteracy. With these opportunities, they will be able to provide for themselves and their future families without having to rely on other people. I plan to invest my cash transfers in livestock which I can later sell in order to meet their educational needs such as fees, stationery, uniform among others.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Mornings are my best because I love sunrises. For me, they are a symbol of hope and another chance to live.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The only source of income in our family is labour that my husband offers in construction sites in exchange for a daily wage. The little pay combined with the job's inconsistency however, does not sufficiently cater for our family's basic needs of food and education. School fees for my children is my biggest headache as seven out of my eight children are enrolled in both primary and secondary school. Countless times have they been sent away from school to collect their fee balances which upto date I have not managed to clear.
