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 on my way returning home from a burial service at our neighbor's home. I still remember it was around 4 pm when I reached home and see my relatives rejoicing after they got their transfer. My grandchildren checked my account balance and informed me that I had received the transfer. I felt extremely happy for receiving the transfer. I had to wait until the following day to withdraw the transfer while taking time to plan on how best to improve my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning and living in a modern spacious house with my family is the biggest difference. Previously, I used to live in a tiny house that served as the kitchen at the same time. I always felt ashamed whenever I receive important guests at home. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly for saving us from the embarrassment that we were going through.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I was living in a tiny structure with my 4 grandchildren. It was not enough to accommodate us, moreover, it serves as the kitchen at the sometimes. It was such a bad experience whenever we received visitors since I had to seek shelter from the neighbor's house something that lowered my dignity. I spent the larger part of the transfer to construct a decent spacious two-roomed house for my family. This has restored the joy that I had been missing for many years. In addition, I bought proper bedding for KES 7,700 since I was using old rags as bedding which were uncomfortable. Furthermore, I bought 3 chairs and one table, this is because we were sitting on the floor or using tree logs as furnitures.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I'm an old widow with no one to take care of me financially. My only son isn't capable because he doesn't have any reliable source of income. Infact he doesn't even have a house as he currently lives in what used to be my kitchen since his house collapsed. They've been staying there with the wife while I live in my house with their three children. We normally just burn and sell charcoal to earn a living, and sometimes we even sell firewood. I'm a little too old for such physical jobs and most of the time I end up with muscle pains but that's the only way I can get my needs. I feel happy at the prospect of getting this money because it will reduce my suffering by saving me from all that. I plan to renovate my house and extend a room for my grand children at a cost of 50000 KES then spend the rest of the money on acquiring livestock and buying food as well as other basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The month of December last year was such a wonderful one for me! I truly enjoyed every day of it with guests streaming in one after another. What made it even more special is the fact that they all brought presents of all sorts and even those who couldn't make it still sent money electronically. These were my daughters who are already married and living with their husbands in town. I still wish I could go back in time; it was so wonderful.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have experienced one of the longest draughts in the history of this place taking longer than three years. This has dried nearly all the water sources and made it hard to get food as we have not been able to grow crops over that time. It has also changed our lives in the village and right now you need money to basically access anything. It stressful to imagine that you do not have any defined source of income or proper economic involvement when life is getting that expensive.
