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 in the evening and in the process of preparing supper when I received the text message confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I was able to address the challenges I was facing, especially building a better house and getting food for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is I am about to have a better house than the one I have been living in. I was able to get a bed and mattress, and I am sleeping comfortably now unlike before I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I am so happy and grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 20000 on building a better house because the one I have been living in was in a very poor condition as its roof is barely covered in worn-out iron sheets. When it rains at night, then we would have to spend the whole night awake since it literally rains inside the house, which used to make me so unhappy in addition to the sleepless nights. Therefore, I am now so happy that I am about to have a better house and I will not worried about spending the whole night awake neither will I have sleepless nights again, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A decent shelter for my family is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I am living in a small, grass hatched house which is about to collapse. I have wished to own a good one but have not realized this due to financial instability. I am planning to spend KES 55000 to build a better house with two rooms and an iron sheet roof. I will further spend KES 30000 to buy 10 goats that will act as long-term investment project for my household. The remaining amount will cater for other family expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter-in-law was blessed with a baby boy in the month of August. This really brought to me. We called the pastor and other church members to bless the baby. My son bought for me new clothes for the first time in my life for the celebration. Giving birth to a baby boy in our culture is a sign of wealth and security in the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Shortage of food is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing, mainly because of low rainfall in our area. It's has been over 3 years since we had ample rain. Due to this, I have been struggling to put food on the table and sometimes, I seek help from my relatives something that ashames me.
