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 can vividly recall that the moment I received my transfer, I was at home feeding my cows. I had left my phone in the house and I wanted to check what time it was since I had some errands to attend to later. That is when I went back to the house, Upon checking my phone, I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with happiness because I knew that I would be able to purchase a parcel of land with it. I then broke the news to my wife who was equally happy and excited. I am forever indebted to GiveDirectly for the opportunity that made me thrive in life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily work today is that I was comfortably able to foot the hospital bill for my wife without selling any of our belonging. Additionally, I was able to secure a parcel of land that has been my dream for a very long time now. I am happy and grateful for the support that brought so much happiness into our lives and also uplifted my living standards without asking for anything in return.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a plan in place on how I would spend my transfer, but Unfortunately, my wife fell ill thus we needed money for her medication. Initially, I had planned to use the money on my college education but the unavoidable happened and I had to use KES 30,000 on my wife's medication. I then used the remaining KES 22,000 in purchasing a parcel of land. I am a student and a farmer, married and blessed with a child. I wanted to add a piece of land because the family land was small and I wanted my place, I was unable to secure a parcel of land before due to financial constraints since I only depend on farming to pay for my school fees and also to cater for my young family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In March 2019, I joined Kenya Medical Training College in Nakuru to pursue a course in nursing. In September 2020, I had to defer because I had accumulated arrears amounting to KES 43,000 that could not allow me to sit for end of semester exams. Since then I have not gone back to school and I fear that my admission may be revoked because I have overstayed. I depend on my wife who is a teacher to pay my college fees but she is overwhelmed since she is also paying school fees for her 3siblings. Receiving this money will put a smile on my face as I intend to use my entire transfer to pay my college fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January this year, I started dairy farming business and I am happy to say that it is doing well. I have a total of 4cows that produce 50-60liters per day. I sell milk at KES 40 per liter earning me approximately KES 2500
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife has been having pregnancy related complications from the year 2014 and she has lost three pregnancies. The situation is devastating and I do not know how long this will continue happening. Our pregnancy health provider advised us to seek regular check ups but they are expensive to a point that I cannot afford.
