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 vividly remember that fateful evening as I was preparing dinner for my five children when I heard a phone vibration. This was immediately after the intercessors left my home then my husband confirmed the receipt of KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was so ecstatic and elated at the same time since I knew the transfer would be a source of relief to the family. My husband had a fatal accident which left him on wheelchair 2 years now. He felt from a coconut tree, something that led to loss of income for the family. We sat down as a family and agreed to withdraw the whole transfer the following day then spend it how we had plan prior to the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, I was living a hopeless life because I did not have any source of income to support my family especially my bedridden husband who got an accident which left him on wheelchair. Through the transfer, I was able to pay my husband hospital bill using KES 15,000. It was a big difference because my husband can now move little by little. I also bought three goats something I consider a very great achievement as it serve as a future investment. I am grateful for the support provided by GiveDirectly since it has also helped my pay my son in form 1 fees of KES 15,000. I don't know what would have become of my child if I never got the transfer to pay his fees on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband had a fatal accident which left him on wheelchair 1 years ago He felt from a coconut tree, something that led to the loss of income for the family. Feeding my five children became a struggle as a mother and a housewife. I am grateful for the support provided by GiveDirectly since I paid my husband x-ray hospital bill using KES 15,000. This has enable him gain some stability though he is not completely cured from the pain. Furthermore, I paid my son's school fees using KES 15,000, my son no longer attend his classes while stressed of being sent back home for school fees arrears. In addition, I bought three goat for KES 8,000 something that I consider as a future investment when they start reproducing. Last but not least, I spent the remaining KES 17,000 in stocking more food for the family. I bought 90kg maize flour to help curb the current tough economy which enabled my family to have a three day meal unlike before. The family currently enjoy decent and well-balanced diet meal hence improved health.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired for a long time to own goats but all my efforts have been fruitless as every penny that I get I spend all on food and medication for my husband who paralysed legs after falling from a coconut tree while tapping palm wine.
Receiving this money means spending 16,000 KES to buy four goats so that they can help me during emergencies in future. I learnt a lesson after my husband had the accident and I did not have any project for such emergencies.
I will use the remaining amount of transfer on food, and medication for my husband and pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My second-born son completed his secondary education this year. I felt happy as the burden on school fees is no longer and I know he will look for a job and start helping me and his siblings.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband was the one who used to take care of the entire family's expenses, after falling from the palm tree things changed, he cannot do any kind of work and he needs close monitoring as he cannot walk anymore which has made me not able to work anymore as I always stay at home to look after him.
We now depend on our firstborn son and well-wishers to provide us with food and money.
