GiveDirectly: Send money directly to the extreme poor

2nd Payment

Transfer Amount

53150 KES ($502 USD)

over 4 years ago

How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?

Before GiveDirectly came to us, I did not have a decent house. The house that happened to be my home was in a bad state, its roof was dilapidated and leaking when it rains. I couldn't afford to even buy building materials to renovate it. My husband who was our sole breadwinner was sick and indisposed and couldn't work anymore. I am now living happily in my decent iron-roofed house, courtesy of GiveDirectly. I also took my husband to a good hospital was treated and now recovering well because of this money.

In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving us the transfer and giving us the freedom to plan for ourselves since we have different individual household needs. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not well.

What did you spend your second transfer on?

I spent a larger portion of the second transfer on purchasing building materials which include iron sheets, nails, building poles and timber in order to build a new house. I also paid the labour cost incurred in the process of building my new house. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my husband's medical expenses and surgery. We couldn't afford to take him to a good hospital at our own cost. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because my husband was treated well and he is now recovering.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

55000 KES ($530 USD)

5 years ago

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own an iron-roofed house. I have been longing to renovate it but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. My previous roofing was so hectic because it was a grass-thatched one and whenever it rained it was hectic. My children too never had peace since when it's time to sleep they were forced to sleep at my neighbor's house especially in winter seasons because of the leaking roof. But ever since I renovated it, the problem is solved. Secondly, whenever they wanted to study, they found it hard because the environment was unfavorable and due to this reason it was affecting their academic performance. Ever since I renovated it they have been studying comfortably without any interference. I am so grateful for that courtesy to GiveDirectly.

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

I remember it was around 4 am when my phone vibrated I got a notification on my phone at around 4 am. I decided to check who the message was from, I got so excited to learn that I had received my first transfer that GiveDirectly had promised to send. I could barely sleep due to the excitement that I had.

What did you spend your first transfer on?

I spent part of my first transfer on buying a few pieces of iron sheets for the renovation of my house. Previously it was grass-thatched and leaky. I then cleared some hospital bills for my spouse because he had been admitted by the time I received the transfer. I was so stressed and confused because I had no idea how I would get the money to clear his bill. I thank God for bringing GiveDirectly in my village. I then took a small portion and paid the dowry for my daughter- in- law. Her family members have been complaining for years that they needed the dowry because according to our culture you have to pay something in the form of money for the marriage to be official. Since my son is jobless, this issue was stressing me as a parent. So after paying the dowry, we have now been living happily, in fact, it has brought peace in both families.

Enrolled

5 years ago

What does receiving this money mean to you?

For over seven years now, my husband has been suffering from Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that we haven't been able to fully cure due to lack of finances. At the moment, he survives on weekly check-ups that are very costly. And because of urinary retention, he uses a catheter and this again needs to be replaced every fortnight. Receiving this money means we are finally going to get him the better treatment that can end his enduring pain and suffering. We already have a referral letter to Kilifi General Hospital and we are hopeful this is going to offer a permanent solution to this harrowing experience. I believe restoring his health will be a great relief to the family considering the amount of energy and resource this condition has robbed us for far too long.

What is the happiest part of your day?

Afternoon is the happiest part of my day because this is that moment whereby I am less active. In the morning hours, I mostly engage in household chores and most important look for food. It is also at this part when I ensure I draw enough water from the water pan, a very back-breaking exercise. In the evening, activities are also there and by the time the day ends, I am already exhausted. I enjoy resting and catching up with my peers in the afternoon and that makes it the favorite part of the day.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

My inability to provide adequately for the family and more so for my husband's health care has been the biggest hardship in life. This has resulted from a lack of reliable sources of income and the fact that all responsibilities squarely rests on my shoulder with no one to offer a helping hand. The situation in my household is dire, and every little penny that I earn goes to medical care, leaving other sectors unattended to. Look at the house that I live in for instance; it is already caving in, walls have cracked and the roof is terribly leaking. Every night we sleep not knowing how tomorrow will look like. However, it was a sign of hope when we learned of this cash transfer program. At least husband is going to get the required medical attention. Apart from that, we are going to have a better roof over our heads and our nights will be peaceful unlike at the moment.