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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($430 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My short-term goal is to ensure my children are all in school. I have eight children. Two are in college and one finished high school but is not enrolled in college yet. For now, I am doing casual jobs at the village and also taking loans from a Sacco I have been contributing for two years to pay for the children's school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
They are keen and they listen to us whenever we call. The staff that visits us also understand our language and they are effective at communicating with us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a stay-at-home mother, my husband has a piece of land that I farm for domestic purposes. I have eight children that are in school. School fees have been a struggle for the longest. My husband works in a butchery and has always managed to get the funds needed. Recently my husband was diagnosed with a kidney problem and was out of his job. Unfortunately, all my children are now out of school because I cannot manage to pay their fees. But I am thankful the money from GiveDirectly has helped me pay for the hospital bills, he is now at home recuperating.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving the transfers was a blessing to me and my family. I was at home doing house chores, as my husband was outside the compound yard looking after the animals. I heard noise coming from our neighbours, it was Give Directly beneficiaries celebrating about the transfers. I had to rush to my phone to confirm if mine had been sent as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I managed to take care of my sick husband in the hospital with the transfers I received. I used part of the transfers to buy him cratches, and this will help him move around once he is discharged from the hospital.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the transfers to buy a bed, mattress and new beddings, this costed Kshs 20,000. Initially I never had a bed, I was sleeping on the floor, and this was not comfortable till I developed a backache problem.My beddings were so torn and old, this too could not let me have a sound sleep. I thank Give Directly for the transfers as these days I sleep very comfortable since I bought the new beddings.
My husband got an accident, for the last one month he has been admitted in the hospital ,I used Kshs 30,000 for his medication and to buy his drugs. I thank Give Directly as I managed to take care of him, without the transfers I cannot imagine how difficult it would have been for him in the hospital.
I used the remaining balance of Kshs 5,000 to buy food, my family has been feeding on regular and balanced diet since the day I received the transfers.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired to expand my small business for a while. I have been selling foodstuff here at home which just a few people are aware of it. I plan to use the first transfer to add stock and rent a shop at the roadside whereby I will be able to get more customers who pass by. The second transfer was to clear the hospital bill for my hubby that accumulated since the beginning of this year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since the beginning of this year, my husband was admitted due to kidney failure and he was not capable of even lifting his hand. On the second of February 2022, the love of my life's health improved, and he was able to walk by himself to the latrines and back, this brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It all started when my husband engaged in a minor accident in Kilifi town. After he got first aid he claimed that he was okay and was discharged. Two weeks later he started feeling pain in the lower abdomen which progressed to an extent of being admitted. I gathered all the business money that I saved to pay for his medication, still, it wasn't working out. I decided to sell 2 acres of land to help with his treatment yet it was not enough. As we speak we have massive hospital bills and I don't have an idea where I can get aid from.
