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 was just relaxing at home after a very busy day when I heard a message notification from my phone. I decided to check out who could have texted me that late evening. I got a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount before. It was one of the best evenings I have ever had in my entire life. I stayed for one week planning on how to spend the transfer. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being in a position to take my spouse to the hospital for treatment on time is the biggest difference in my daily life. This could have been so hard for me since I do not have a continuous source of income. I depend on casual jobs and small-scale farming at home to earn an income. The amount that I would get is so small and it's for the basic needs of the family. My spouse felt sick and this needed to be attended to by the doctor, Since I had received the transfer, I was in a position to pay for the transport to the hospital and even settle the bills. She was discharged back home and she was well. After some time she felt sick again and I took her to a different hospital for a further check. I was in a position to pay for the transport and hospital bills again. I am so grateful for the support from GiveDirectly because this could have been the biggest challenge of my life. I would have sold my assets to pay the hospital bill. Currently, she is on medication and doing well this has given me peace of mind to conduct my daily activities without being worried. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has supported us and ensured that we have a better life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,000 on medication for my spouse who felt sick. I took her to Tenwek hospital and later Litein hospital. She was discharged and she is currently under medication. I save KES 20,000 for emergencies and in case we are required to visit the doctor again. I am so grateful because all this could have been a big challenge for me. I could have sold some of my assets to meet her medical needs. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and household items that we were lacking at that moment. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will fulfill my lifetime ambition of building a brick walled house. I have been buying building materials in bits for the last 5 years which has cost me KES. 60,000 over that time. I haven't been able to start the foundation because I have not assembled all the required materials and also the cost of building materials keeps going up almost monthly. I was even wondering if I will ever get to start the foundation and I might end up losing everything. I am however glad that since you have enrolled me in this program I shall be able to at least build to the roofing level then in a year's time I'll be able to finish the remaining part. My projection was to finish building in a period of 10 years but with GiveDirectly I shall be able to finish it in 6 years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was gifted with a calf by my neighbor in January and this gave me a lot of happiness because I no longer had any cows left in my compound after I sold them to educate my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am currently facing is the ever dwindling farming income. I depend fully to provide for my family on farming income which has been affected by changing weather patterns. I cannot confidently grow maize crops now because the rains might stop any time and get me into losses. This is a situation we are helpless about but it's really affecting our well being.
