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 while still in bed when I heard my phone vibrating. I stretched my hand to pick it up only to realize it was a message. Being unable to read, I had to wait till morning for my grandson to check for me. Very early in the morning, I do not know what was pushing me about the message but I presented it to my helper to confirm what kind of a message it was. The information brightened my morning; he informed me that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I jumped in happiness and I almost ululated but I contained myself since I did not want people to know about it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before GiveDirectly graced our village, I was living in a hardship condition. Sleeping on the floor was not my wish but I had no alternative due to poverty. As of now, I am a happy parent with a happy family since we are sleeping well in good bedding not as before. I can sincerely attest that, if it were not for GiveDirectly we would not be living well the way we are now. My secondary school child is also happy at school since he is learning comfortable because the fee was all paid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the priority was to settle school fee balances for my children so that they could have a smooth and conducive learning environment. Concerning that, I paid KES 10000.00 for my secondary school child and KES 2400.00 for my four primary school children. Thereafter, I bought 3 beds and 3 mattresses, a pair for me and the rest for my children. I did this because, for a while, we had been sleeping on the floor on sacks and boxes.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better accommodation for me, I have stayed in a small house without a door all my life. This makes me feel insecure I can not keep my belonging well, I feel ashamed when my neighbor access my house without permission because there is no door to lock my commodities. I will buy a metallic door that goes for 7,000 KES so that I can be able to store the maize I get from my farm. I will be happy to lock my house like others which had not happened to me since I was married. I do not have any asset which I can sell when the need arises, I will buy five goats for 3,000 each and two bulls that I can fix with a plow to cultivate my fields and neighbors at a fee of 1500 per hectare. This revenue will help me buy food and access medical care when sick.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In December I was visited by my sister's grandchild who brought me food and money. I was happy to see them, I had not got any visitors since the death of my spouse in 2014. This brought joy to my life knowing I still have people who value me even if I did not give birth to any child.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a barren widow has always been a challenge in my life, I feel ashamed not having any person to support me when sick and provide food. This has made my life full of stress not having anybody to inherit my lands after my death. This always rings in my mind that no one will be remembered after me when I am gone. This has made me get ulcers and my health is deteriorating, I have to go for check-ups every week amounting to 1000 KES per visit.
