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 around 11am. I was at home relaxing with my family. When I heard a message notification from my phone. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. It was message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and immediately informed my family members and everyone celebrated with joy. I know I would be in a position to meet our basic needs on time.
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 paid the school fees for my children son. This was the biggest challenge that I had. My children were being sent home and this is demoralizing and stressful. I don't have any other source of income and paying the school fees was not easy. I depend on small scale farming and this actually does not yield much. When I received the transfer I felt so happy. I have paid the school fees on time and my son now is studying well without being sent. I hope his performance will improve compared to previous days. I have peace of mind to do other things at home. Unlike before where I was so worried. I able to work at the farm and save some money for next academic year.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid KES 10,000 on school for my son who is in secondary school School fees for my son in secondary school. He is able to study well without being sent home. I know we expect the the good result. I build a kitchen house. The one I had so muddy, beauseI of my old age I was not able to do the cleaning as expected. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an improved housing system for my family. Our kitchen is made of grass thatched roofing and when it rains, water leaks from the roof and oozes from the ground creating an uncomfortable environment. My ambition, therefore, has been to build a better structure and create a conducive ambiance for my family. With an estimated cost of KES 30,000, I intend to construct a better kitchen using the first transfer. The remaining cash will be spent on constructing a granary because we don't have any storage facility. This will bring a fulfilling life to me and my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Initially, my family members used to go to bed empty stomach because of a lack of money to buy food. I used to pray day and night asking God to open doors in my life. Contrary, in the last 6 months, God has been so faithful because none of my members has gone to bed empty stomach. This is because my prowling skills have made this possible; I have managed to get casual jobs even not frequently.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are the main challenges we are currently facing. I am a casual laborer within the village. Because we are in acute economic times, I seldom get the job, and when luck knocks on the door I get an approximate wage of KES 250 a day. The job that I am engaged in includes digging, weeding, planting, and or fencing on other people's farms when the need arises. Additionally, I have 4 school-going children; 1 in secondary level and 3 in primary level who are constantly sent home due to school fees arrears. When I see them at home due to arrears of school, my heart bleeds with sorrow. Therefore, what I get as wage is hardly enough to cater to a family of 6.
