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 when I heard a message notification from my phone. My daughter was at home and she checked it for me. She said that it was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and I knew that I would be able to build a stand for the water tank. This was my main concern since I wanted do plumping in my phone. I went with my daughter to withdraw the money and started purchasing the materials.
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 have build a water tank stand. This has always been my dream because I have been struggling to collect water from the tap. I purchased a water pump machine. I can pump water to the tank and get a constant supply in the house. Currently I no longer stress up on where to collect the water from. I have always wanted to do this but I did not have the money. GiveDirectly has enabled me to fulfilled my dream. I am so grateful because I do not have to struggle like before. I am in a position to store enough water and this had enabled me to save
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 48,700 on purchasing materials and build a water tank stand. I had to purchase iron and cement. I paid the worker who did this work. I am so grateful because this has been possible through the support from GiveDirectly. I spent the remaining KES 6,000 on purchasing a pumping machine. I pump water to the tank and this had enable me to get constant supply of water. I am so grateful for the support because I have always wanted to fulfilled this.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow and at the sunset age of my life and unable to toil and fend for myself. This leaves me to entirely depend on my two dairy cows for upkeep. On a normal day, I milk 6 liters a day, and out of this, I sell 4 liters at KES 30 per liter. The proceeds I get as income goes to paying my employee who looks after the cows. I use the remaining cash to buy household basic needs, especially food items. I intend to spend approximately KES 40,000 of the transfer to add one more dairy cow and increase the milk production and thus increase the sale. Therefore, receiving this money means having sufficient income for my household and this is the joy of my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I come to learn that Give Directly was coming to our village 2 weeks ago, I could not hide the joy and happiness in my life. Over the years, I have been trying to save some cash for my medication but in vain. Now that I will be one of the beneficiaries of Give Directly, this will enable me to seek further medication in a more sophisticated facility and improve my health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was diagnosed with arthritis 5 years ago which affected my right leg and this is the challenge I am currently facing. I am unable to walk properly and I have been occasionally visiting different hospitals for medication. Because of this, I sold most of the assets I had at my disposal but without much significant change. I feel sad that I am unable to walk long distances like going to church and market places like I used to.
