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 was at home busy selling water at my water station. I remember it was around 9 am when, I heard my customers narrating how they received their transfer. I was very curious to know if I received as well so I gave one of my neighbors who confirm that I had received the transfer. I was very sure that I will be able to solve most the financial challenges.
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 was able to buy a water tank. This has improved my water vending business as I can store enough water to sell to my customers. Similarly, I was able to support the education of my grandchild who is in form 3. Previously, he was always sent home for fees something that had impacted his performance negatively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a water vendor a job that has been sustaining my life. Most of the time, there is water rationing due to the drought conditions that has been experienced in our area. During this time, it was very hard to get water for my customers as well as for my personal use. I spent my transfer to purchase a water tank of capacity 2000litres and also bought pipes, and cement and paid the installation fees. In addition, I spent some amount to support the education of my grandson who is in form 3. Furthermore, I bought a mattress for KES 4500 and repair my bed which had broken. The remaining amount assists me to purchase sufficient food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money I will first plaster my house both on the walls and the floor. It's usable as it is right now, but too dusty all over the floor because of loose earth and walls keep collapsing every rainy season. I'm also not happy about the fact that it is windowless exposing us to most adverse weather conditions. I was initially a resident of Kachiroroni village but my late son bought this piece of land and relocated us over here in the year 2000 so that we could be on the roadside. I'm really liking it here and only wish I could improve the structure he built half way. I think the whole of this project will cost about 50000 KES to its completion.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was very happy when my grandchild who is working in Mombasa visited me in the month of December last year. She brought me among other things clothes as well as basic supplies like cooking oil, sugar, salt and some foodstuffs. We had good time together and when she left she handed me three thousand shillings to add to my budget. This happened at a time when we were completely out with my daughter sick and unable to go work in the quarry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life is really hard in this village. The only source of income that majority depend on is quarry jobs. At my age it's nearly impossible to perform such physical tasks. This has always made it difficult for me to get money for food and other basic needs everyday. I'm always forced to depend on my daughter who's living with me here to take up those jobs and get us supplies. I also have a water point that my sons built for me to run and make money, but the numerous water outages in this area interferes a lot with this business. If only I could acquire a tank I would be happy because I will be able to store water and sell during those outages.
