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 remember well that evening I received the transfer message alert on my phone. I was busy with my house chores preparing supper for my family and since my phone was charging, I called my helper to check for me who could have sent the message. To my surprise, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was greatly overjoyed and I began to plan and transform my living standard through the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I had not cleared paying for the piece of land that I am currently dwelling with my family. Apart from paying for the piece of land, I was not allowed to build a new house for my family until I finish paying for it. I do not have a source of income which could help me to settle the balance. I am now at peace because when I received the transfer, I spent a larger part of it on clearing the outstanding balance. After clearing the amount, I went ahead and purchased building materials in order to construct a new house. I was finally allowed to build a home immediately I cleared the balance through transfer. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to clear the debt and giving me a home. This makes it to be the biggest difference so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent Ksh. 20000 of my first transfer on paying school fees for my daughter who's currently in college and for my son in high school. My priority was to ensure that they continue with their studies without any interruptions on fees. I do not have a source of income that would help me raise their fees. I'm greatly relieved because they will not be chased and I have enough time to prepare for the next payment. In addition to this, I also spent a portion of the transfer on paying for the piece of land where we are currently staying with my family. I had not completed the payment and I was not allowed to build a permanent home. I'm happy that through the transfer, I was able to clear the outstanding balance and was finally allowed to build a new house. I purchased some building materials which include building poles and iron sheets to facilitate the construction of my new house. I spent the remaining amount on buying food stuffs for my family that could take us for weeks before doing another shopping. I never lacked food in my household ever since receiving my first transfer unlike before where I had to skip meals because it wasn't enough.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for me. I am a 73-year-old widow. Charcoal burning is my occupation. Unlike before when I could make 6,000 KES, I can barely make 2,000 KES per month currently. This is attributed to my old age. The low income translates to struggles in providing myself with food because the food prices are increasing day by day. I am planning to purchase 5 goats at 3,000 KES each. Having a source of income from goat production will cushion me from food insecurity. By selling the goats and their products ( milk and meat), I will be able to sufficiently buy food for myself.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son who works in Mombasa sent me 1,500 KES a week ago. This made me happy because I used the money to purchase food that will run me for 3 weeks.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am facing is the low income I make from charcoal burning. The earnings I get cannot exceed 2,000 KES per month. I spend the whole amount on food, leaving other needs unattended. I am not happy about where I sleep. The beddings are indecent but I have nothing to do about it.
