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 left my phone at home and went to do charcoal production. When I returned home, I did not check my phone right away. Shortly after, my phone began ringing; it was my neighbor calling to ask if I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I told her to let me check and immediately hang up to check my messages, and indeed, I had received it. I was so excited; it had been a long time since I received such an amount. My first thought was to construct a house since mine had been swept away by the floods.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had my own house, but after the floods, it was completely swept away, leaving me and my four children homeless. With nowhere else to go, a kind neighbor offered us temporary shelter in her home, and I’ll always be grateful for that. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and my first thought was to rebuild our home. I bought eight iron sheets, and now there’s a glimmer of hope. With the next transfer, I’ll buy the remaining materials to complete the house and also secure a plot by paying the deposit, ensuring we have a stable place to call home again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few months ago, I had my own house, but after the floods, I was left homeless when our home was swept away. I had no option but to seek temporary shelter while figuring out what to do next. Luckily, a neighbor offered me her house to stay in with my four children. Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly relieved my stress, and I couldn't think of anything but constructing a new house. I bought eight iron sheets for $82, and the transport cost from town for these iron sheets was $10. I found a plot where I plan to pay a deposit of $200 with my second transfer and clear the rest later; with the balance, I will buy the remaining materials and continue construction. Additionally, our clothes were worn out, and I couldn't afford to buy for everyone, so I purchased clothes for my husband and my three children, which cost $40. Food was another issue; currently, I am unwell and can’t do heavy work, and my husband has two wives. I spent a total of $30 on food and paid $8 toward a debt we had at the shop where we had taken food items on credit. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving Give Directly's cash transfers means so much to my family and I. I plan to use the first cash transfer to purchase food for my family. I intend to use at least KES 5000 to purchase food stuff. For the remaining KES 13000 I Intend to seek medical assistance for the sickness I'm currently suffering from. Since I haven't been able to seek medical support in the past because of lack of money, the cash transfers will help me a great deal. For the second and third cash transfers, I intend to add an extra room to my small single roomed house. This is important to me since I don't have enough room for both my children and I to sleep in. I intend to spend about KES 20000 of the transfers on this. I also intend to pay school fees for my son Jeff who is in University and daughter Faith who is in secondary school. I'm glad that the cash transfers from Give Directly will offer my children a chance to better their future in a way that I would not have been able to.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness on a daily basis comes from my children. Seeing them happy and healthy greatly delights me and I always thank God for them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges. However, the most pressing challenge I'm facing at the moment is the sickness that has made it difficult for me to work and provide for my family. I haven't been able to go to the hospital because of a lack of money which has made it even worse for me. I'm in a lot of pain which makes life almost unbearable.
