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?
The moment I was told that I had received my transfer, I was at home relaxing. Then suddenly my daughter heard my phone ringing, Upon checking, she informed me that we had received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that came our way that early morning. I was optimistic that all the goals that I had would be realised with the transfer. I am happy and grateful to have received support from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that my grandson is happy. This is because I was able to clear his school fees. This alone gives me peace of mind and fulfilment knowing that he can comfortably study in school without being sent home to collect school fees. In addition to that, I own a cow and I am hopeful that in months to come I will have a surplus of milk. GiveDirectly has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives thus we are forever grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
School fees have been the most challenging thing in my old age. This is because I am taking care of my grandson who is an orphan. His mother passed on some years back hence I was left with all the responsibilities as a guardian. Upon the receipt of my first transfer, I saw it fit to pay for my grandson's school fees arrears where I used KES 20,000. I then used KES 30,000 in purchasing a dairy cow so has to have a surplus of milk in my home. I was unable to buy one before since I depend on farming and I am no longer energetic due to old age. Finally, I used the remaining amount of money on buying foodstuffs. I am thankful for the transfer that uplifted our lives amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am in the sunset age of life and living in a small old hut that acts as a kitchen and as a living room. The hut is too small that I cannot even partition it to separate the cooking area from the sleeping area. I feel I should live a comfortable life by building another iron-roofed house next to the one live in. The hut will act as a kitchen and the other house as the main house. I Intend to spend approximately KES 30,000 to complete the whole project and use the rest to maintain myself. I am hopeful that soon I will be able to materialize my dream through the transfer from Give Directly. Receiving this money will therefore relates to an improved living standards in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am surrounded by my children who have been of great help and that is what has brought happiness to my life. Since I am old and feeble, I am unable to go to work and earn some cash, unlike my children who are young and energetic. I am glad that in the last 6 months, I have not gone to bed empty stomach because my children come in handy and saved my situation. My children work as casual laborers and come home in the evening with food and share some with me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We rely on maize in our area as a staple food but over the past five years, we have experienced low crop production due to minimal rainfall. In my 0.5 acres of land which I used to harvest at least 10 bags of maize, this has since changed to at least one bag due to inadequate rainfall. The last planting season was worst because we harvested nothing at all. Shortly after planting, we never saw rainfall again in our area and this makes me feel sad if the condition persists, we will die of hunger. Therefore, the inadequacy of rainfall has been the biggest challenge we are currently facing.
