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 at around 4 pm when my helper came home from fetching some water. No sooner had she kept the bucket of water than she asked for my phone and I gave her. Within some seconds, she told me that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirecly. I was so happy for receiving such a huge amount of money at once. But, I was having some questions. How did she know that the money had been? She informed me that, she heard people at the water points saying that they had received their transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can attest to is that before GiveDirectly came into my life, I had no livestock but now I have goats and a cow. I am grateful because GiveDirectly fulfilled enabled me to get them and they are serving me as an investment. In addition to that, if it were not for GiveDirectly maybe my house could have collapsed by now but I am registering my thanksgiving to the organization for it enabled me to renovate my house before I could count losses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the money, I had already planned that if the promise of the transfers was true, then I would buy a cow and goats for two reasons. one being an investment because once they multiply they can be sold for money and secondly for remembrance of the organization. The reason for remembering is that I have never heard of such an organization with the kind of promise made. Being given 110000.00 which you will not pay back was strange to me in my old age. Upon receiving the money, I saw it prudent to fulfill my words. I bought a cow for KES 15000.00 and two goats for KES 7000.00. Thereafter, I used KES 4000.00 for medication. I had some stomach problems and opted to seek medical attention. Since I have three grandchildren who are in primary school, I gave them KES 3000.00 for school fees after they were sent home for fees and their father was stuck. Looking at my house, I decided to renovate it because it was in a bad state. It was unstable and I felt at risk during the windy season fearing it could collapse. Therefore, I used KES 5700.00 in making the house stable by replacing the damaged poles with strong ones. For the remaining amount, I used in buying food.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am and adult who was left with 3 grandchildren this is after their parents died. The house which they left behind collapsed immediately after their death and I was forced to accommodate the them in my tiny house. Life has never been easy because the houses is not spacious enough and leaks during rains season. I am planning to spend KES 50,000 to construct a 2 rooms house so that we can enjoy life. Also, I will invest the remaining amount on livestock which is going to generate income in future and support my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been suffering from stomach pains lately and I did not have any cash for medication. One of my grandchild from my co wive came from town and take me to hospital something that I did not expect. I was treated and now I am recovering well. The support brought me a lot of joy in my life because if it could not be him, I could not be able to go to hospital.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sickness is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. I have been suffering from persistent stomach pains for the past 3 months something that has deteriorated my health. I am not able to work and the medicines are also expensive. This has not only affected me but also my grandchildren psychology because they always cry seeing me in illness because they know I am their only hope remaining.
