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?
I felt so happy and could not believe my eyes when I received money from GiveDirectly. Never before had I received such a huge amount of money via mpesa. I could not believe that I was actually going to be able to withdraw the money. I was so grateful when I did.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life right now is that I am living a more peaceful life than I was before receiving money from GiveDirectly. I feel so much contented with the newly built house and the school fees which for once I was able to clear for all my four children in primary school. This has made my family happier and made me feel proud as the head of the household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of my recent transfer to build a new house. We have all along been living in a mud walled grass thatched house and my desire has always been to build a bigger and better house. With this money I was able to buy timber and built an timber walled and iron roofed house. A part from the fact that the house is spacious, it is also much easier to maintain. I was able to set aside the remaining amount of KES 10000 which helped me pay school fees for my four primary school kids.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For 5-years now, I have wanted to have a decent house that is big enough for a family of 8 members. As old as I am, I still share one house with my 6 children and this is culturally unacceptable. To make matters worse the same house leaks making it unsafe for children to sleep in. During rainy seasons my wife together with young children spend the night at my brother's kitchen because of the leakages all over our house. I am not able to build a house because in the year 2019 I was diagnosed with Arthritis and this made me spend a lot of money. Every week I spend KES 500 to buy drugs. Receiving this money will help me have a better house as well as get proper medication for my condition.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Six months ago my daughter got married and in addition, I was given a token of appreciation amounting to KES 40000 and this was the happiest point of my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2019, I was diagnosed with Arthritis a condition that has severely affected my joints. I can barely walk and this has forced me to have a walking stick. I heavily depend on farming to earn a living and with my condition that is not possible. I have been reduced to a beggar now that I can not fend for myself. Due to financial constraints, I have not sought proper medication and this is making the situation worse every passing day. Last year I visited Tenwek Hospital and I was asked to pay KES 30000 for me to see a specialist. I had to return home unattended because of my inability to raise the required amount.
