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 went to collect water at the stream when I heard a message notification from my phone. I did not check it out immediately since I was carrying the water. When I reached home I gave the phone to my child to check it out for me. She said that it was a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I have received the money. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. We all celebrated and we knew our lives will be changed. We planned that day and I went to withdraw the money the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have purchased new beddings. We had old beddings and this was so stressing and demoralizing. We had always wanted to purchase a new one but we did not have the money. I depend on a small retail shop and the amount of money that I would get is only for basic household needs. I was not in a position to buy the beddings. Currently, I have decent beddings and we sleep well without any problem. We are so grateful because were it not GiveDirecly all this could have taken quite some time to do it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,000 on purchasing beds and mattresses. We have old bedding and we wanted to change to good ones. Currently, we sleep well unlike before. I spent KES 20,000 on purchasing iron sheets just waiting for the second transfer to start the construction process. I paid KES 7,000 for my son who is in secondary school. He is now studying well without being sent home like before. With the remaining amount of money, I bought food for the family and added the stock to the retail business that I have. I am so happy and grateful for the support.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was a businesswoman who was married to a polygamous wife. I was blessed with nine children. I constructed a separate grass-thatched structure for them. Its roof is leaking because it was infested by termites. I will use 30,000 KES of my transfers to renovate the roof. I will also buy myself a bed and a mattress which will cost around 15,000 KES. Some of the remaining transfers will go into supporting my business of selling fingerlings. I increase my stock and set aside funds for the payment of rent at the rented kiosk I am operating from. The rest will support us with food and other household needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A few weeks ago I reaped good in my business. I was able to make a profit of 800 KES from my enterprise. I was able to purchase clothes for my children something that I had not done for quite some time. I was delighted by the fact that my family enjoyed it and I was able to perform my duty as a parent.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My greatest challenge is financial instability. I used to operate a food vending kiosk before I developed chest problems. I was advised to refrain from that business by the doctor. I have to start another business selling fingerlings. My capital is 1600 KES which produces a profit of 400 KES a fortnight. This amount barely sustains my family of nine. All of the proceeds go to purchasing foodstuff. This has made it impossible for me to even buy a bed for myself.
