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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am an old diabetic patient. Not so long ago, I had a wound on my leg. For this reason, I needed some medical attention. Since I live far from the hospital, I was forced to relocate to a house that was nearer. There, I paid a monthly rent of KES 1000. 10 months later, I got better and I returned home to my 5children. My firstborn recently finished his form four, he would sometimes help out with expenses whenever I get financially stuck. On this day, I had no funds. I also had KES 1000 school fee arrears that I needed to pay. Thereby, I used the funds to settle it and what remained, I bought some food and soap.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I missed my transfer twice. This made me feel very bad because I had plans to buy some baby goats in February. They were not costly; one would sell at KES 2,000. I would have had more goats now. If possible, give directly should consider those of us who miss out on the transfers and maybe have an option where one can have a choice of getting the funds in bulk. But in all, the organization has done very well. The money has acted like a salary and has helped in paying my debts.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In April last year, I got diagnosed with diabetes. Since then my life changed as I had to scale down the quantity of work that I was doing because of my health condition. My health condition meant that I had to survive on drugs from that day onwards. I make and sell charcoal to earn a living. The little I earn from that is only enough to buy food for my family. I have 5 children who fully depend on me to pay their school fees. I still have drugs to buy to keep my health in check and other daily needs that I need to attend to. This has made my life very difficult, and I struggled a lot to ensure that I take care of all the needs I have. When I received my first transfer, I spent KSH 1000 pay for my medical attention at the hospital. I have a big wound on the lower part of my right because of the effects of diabetes. Besides the medical bill, I spent KSH 1000 to pay school fees for my five children who are in primary school. I bought food with the remaining amount of KSH 1000 for my family as there was no food left in the house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has made a big difference in my life. I could buy drugs that I heavily depend on for my survival. My health condition is improving because of the fruits, milk and other foods that I bought using the money from the transfer. I am very grateful that the money really helped me.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was preparing to visit the hospital and meet the doctor who was to dress up my wound. While still on the preparations, I received a text message on my phone. After reading it, I confirmed I had received my first transfer. I became thrilled and thanked God for the miracle. On my way to the hospital, I stopped by an Mpesa shop where I withdrew the money. I am happy that the money helped me in paying some of the medical transfer that day.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I'm facing now is the inability to provide for my family and seek medical attention. Since I can do very little to provide for my family, my brothers whom I can count on are casual laborers and they have families to provide for.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I think the only thing I'm grateful for is the gift of life. I have really gone through a difficult period this year but I leave it all to God.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In much this year, I was diagnosed with diabetes. My condition is continuously deteriorating as you can see and I can't walk due to a big wound which is covered around the toes. This has rendered me unproductive and dependant on my family as there is not much that I can do now. Before all this, I was employed as a shopkeeper and I also used to work on my farm to make sure my family had everything that they needed. My children never used to be sent out of school, now they have stayed out of school for a whole week due to fees arrears. I am unable to pay my medical bill and it saddens me to watch my condition deteriorate when I have nothing that I can do to save my life. Receiving this money means that I will be able to seek medical attention, pay school fees for my children and cater for daily basic needs.