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 I was from fetching water when I heard the notification tone and I knew that must be the text message confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I didn't believe that I would get the money. Therefore, it was great happiness to me when I got it.
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 that we now get food regularly unlike before when we would depend on luck to get even a single meal and we would occasionally go to bed while hungry. Therefore, I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for now those hardships are a thing of the past.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 15000 on settling my children's school fees arrears because they had stayed at home for so long. I was as stranded ever since their father was rendered incapable of working by the injury he sustained in his foot, and he was our sole breadwinner, therefore his injury was a huge blow to us. However, with the money I received from GiveDirectly came a huge relief subsequently because I was then able to send my children back to school and settle their arrears. I believe in education and that with a good education, my children will be able to find employment and inturn I'll be able to count on them in the future to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for making this happen.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better education for my 4 children who are still in primary school. Currently, I have faced a lot of challenges in terms of school fees payment because I don't have a stable source of income and my husband's legs were disabled after a road accident. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to sustain the needs of my family. Consequently, my income is very low usually 2000 KES per month which is not enough to fully cater to our needs. I have intended to invest in livestock especially goats which multiply fast and to start with, I will spend 24000 KES of my first transfers to buy 8 goats. This will act as my long-term investment project to help my children's education in the future. The remaining amount will help me to acquire new beddings to replace the old rugged ones, also it will cater to other basic needs like repairing my house, buying food and nice clothing for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the many challenges that I face in my life like the financial instabilities, I have equally been positive about our life because my son who is doing casual work in Mombasa has been supporting me by sending some cash at least 500 KES in a week. This has been supplementing my little income from the charcoal work and hence, I consider this as what has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband was involved in an accident some months back in June 2021. This has forced me to assume his role as the main breadwinner for a family of 9 members. Considering my charcoal work which is not worthy to sustain our needs, I accumulate utmost 2000 KES per month, an income that can not fully cater to our needs. Hence, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as the main challenge that I am currently facing.
