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?
When I received my transfer, I felt so happy. It was early in the morning and since my phone had been off for about 12 hours, when I put it on, I learnt that my transfer had been sent the previous evening. Being so excited about the transfer, I never hesitated to inform my wife about the same. She was equally happy thus she joined me in appreciating GiveDirectly for the financial assistance. We thereafter sat down and proposed how we could spend the transfer, a situation that made me to cancel my plan for that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I began receiving my transfer, the biggest difference in my life is having built a new house. Though I have not yet completed the house, I am hopeful that it will be comfortable than the one I have been living in. In addition, I managed to buy a new bed and new mattress which have replaced the mat that I had used for over 5 years now. Changing my beddings have made to always sleep comfortably unlike in the previous years. Lastly, because I stocked some food for my family, whatever income I get I always save a portion from it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 37,000 from my most recent transfer on buying 20 iron sheets and other building materials. For the past 7 years, I had been living in a grass thatched house which was not only old but also leaking. For a while I had planned to build a new house but I could not since I had no sufficient money. I am so glad that my newly built, one bedroomed house is almost complete and soon I shall begin to live in it.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was employed casually as a motorbike rider, this job earns me little money of about KES 300 daily. This money is little and not enough to buy food for the family and build a house. My brother sympathized with me and gave me this house to live in since I had none. This money gives me hope of building my own and having better housing for my family. I will use KES 70000 for a two-roomed house and use the remaining amount to buy a cow to help me produce milk for the family. Since milk is stable and nutritious food for children, this will help my child grow healthy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life has not been easy for me after my wife underwent a Cesarean section, it was until recently when she started recovering. I was happy to see her smile and good health back.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Bad luck stroke my spouse and experienced expectancy difficulties. This lead to her miscarriage and underwent a Cesarean section. This was expensive and cost for us, it left us with huge hospital bills that I am still settling. This is not easy for me since I work casually as a motorbike rider earning me little money of about KES 300 daily.
