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 at home relaxing in the evening after my day's activities when I received a Mpesa message indicating that I had received the promised money from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with joy after I read the message as I knew that I would be able to achieve a lot of things using this money. My spouse was equally overjoyed when I informed her about the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Ever since I received my transfer, I have never skipped even a single meal in a day. This is because we now have enough maize for our consumption and we no longer buy milk. Since I am still recovering and I do not do strenuous activities, I always had to depend on my wife who is expectant and I was never comfortable since I should be the one taking care of my family. I am happy that we currently feed well every day and I am no longer worried about the health of our unborn baby.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 28000 to purchase a heifer and used the remaining amount to buy five sacks of maize for our consumption. Buying milk and maize flour has been our daily routine and it is costly since 2 kg of maize flour retails at KES 220 while milk goes for KES 30 per liter. I once suffered from a stroke and due to this, I was advised not to engage in any strenuous activity and this made life difficult since it was always hard for my young family. I | am glad that the help from GiveDirectly has given us hope in life.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will be a big boost to me. I completed my secondary school level the previous year and got married 5 months ago. I am not stable at all having recovered fully from stroke late last year. The transfer will help me build a better house than the single grass thatched house that I currently live in. I will also consider purchasing a dairy cow for my household. I am happy for Give Directly's visit and I am optimistic about the transfer so that I can kick start my life after few months of independency.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I can only attribute my joy and happiness to my marriage and healing from stroke. I got married 5 months ago and full recovery from my illness precided. I am much happy and grateful to God for healing me. Atleast I am now of sound mind and can make informed decisions.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently I struggle to meet my household's basic needs such as food, clothing and better housing. I got married 5 months ago and I live in my previous small hut. I find it more challenging because it is my first year of responsibility and I have no experience of how to make a family stand strong. I am determined to make it a successful union.
