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 6 am when I heard a message notification from my phone. When I checked it out I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. This was the happiest morning I have ever had.
I knew I would be able to buy a heifer. This was my main concern and priority. I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I am so grateful for the support because I have fulfilled my dream.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest in my daily life is that I have purchased a heifer. This was one of the main priority. This is because the cost of buying is so costly and I was not in a position to pay. I depend on small scale farming and this earns me a small income when I sell the surplus farm produce. This was so costly and sometimes when I do not have the money I would go without milk. This was so demoralizing but I had no option. Currently I have a dairy cow and I know I will cut this cost when my dairy cow reproduces.i will be able to get enough milk for the family and even sell the surplus to earn an income. This has given me hope and strength to focus on other activities. I am so grateful for the support because this could have taken quite some time to own it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 on purchasing a heifer. This was one of my main focus. I always buy milk daily and this is so costly. When my cow reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk for the family and cut the daily cost. I paid KES 7,000 for school fees for my daughter who is in secondary school. She had a humble time studying without being disturbed like before. I paid debt that I had borrowed to settle hospital bill. Finally I spent KES 7,000 on food and household items. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For four years now, I have not been feeling well. I have been to many different hospitals in search of medical attention. have since sold a piece of land to get finances to pay hospital bills and to pay school fees for my two sons in college. The main expense is affording medical attention as well as medication. It has seen me deplete the resources I had to cater to these needs. With this money, I plan to use part of it to seek further medical bills since I am still sick and on medication. I will also use part of it KES 20,000 to pay loans that I had taken from people when I was admitted to schools.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, my brother assisted me with finances and emotional support. He took me to the hospital and took care of me after coming back from the hospital at his house. While there I got to eat a balanced diet and they gave me emotional support. I am still sick but I'm less stressed unlike before.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge is a lack of finances. I have two sons, one is still in school, the other just graduated. Both are yet to get any paid employment. I am still not feeling well, still under medication. I have sold the few assets I had to cater for medication. At the moment, I'm not working so I have no source of income.
