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?
It was around 9 AM when I was heading to my daily hustle when my mobile phone started ringing so loudly. Since I am illiterate I opted to ask my sister to check who had texted me at that particular minute. Upon checking, she confirmed that it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. Wow! I had finally received my first transfer which I was promised some days back. I was so happy and I remember telling my sister we go back home and celebrate with our family. This was like a miracle to us since I have never received such a huge amount of money that was nonrefundable. I felt like that was the beginning of a new life to me because I could finally construct a decent house of my choice.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the coming of the GiveDirectly, I used to sleep under a very small house that was in critical condition and it would even collapse anytime. For all that time, I never had peace of mind because once it collapses I would be homeless. I did not have enough finances to facilitate the renovation or the construction of a new house. We have been depending on the casual jobs for our daily bread and the little we could earn KES 150 a day, was only enough for the family's daily meals. Having a family of eight it had never been easy at all taking care of them and changing the mode of the housing. Therefore we had no choice than squeezing our sleeves into the same house which was never spacious and that is how difficult my life has been. The worst moments were whenever it could rain, there was no peace at all because we could be rained on or seek shelter from friends' houses which were sometimes not possible. I was so hopeless in life because this is the situation I have been undergoing ever since I was married, over fifteen years ago. I have never enjoyed the joy in my marriage at all. For now, all has changed because through financial support I was able to construct a very beautiful spacious house that can accommodate all my family members. We are finally happily sheltering under the same roof with all my children which has been my long-time dream. This however makes the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials which include the iron sheets at KES 21600, nails, building poles at KES 3000, and the labor charge of KES 10000. This was purposely for the construction of a new house because the previous one was in critical condition and it would collapse any time. I was so worried that this would even harm us or even damage my properties once it collapses. In addition to that, I also cleared school fees of KES 2000 for my children who are in the neighboring primary schools. I am happy they are now studying peacefully with minimal distractions like before. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my children for my family and cater for some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means I will finally own a house. I have been living under a grass-thatched house for the past four years. The roof has been leaking and generally, life has not been easy at all. I am planning to use 60,000KES to build a two bedroom furnished house for my family of eight. I will use the balance from the transfer to buy goats. I have always had the desire of rearing goats but the harsh economic conditions have made it difficult for me to start this project. I opt for goats rearing because they can survive in this area unlike cows which require a lot of water. I will later sale the goats at a profit to educate my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day. Unlike in the morning and evening when I am alone, I engage in a chat with neighbours in the afternoon and this makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of a decent house for my household. Sharing a single room with my family of eight has denied me the desired privacy. My children are grown ups and they are supposed to sleep either in their separate room or house. Lack of a decent house has also denied me the desired reputation in the village to an extent that I am always worried whenever visitors come to check on us.
