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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
From the day I received the transfers from GiveDirectly, my daily life has changed since I no longer go to fetch water on a daily basis as I now have a water tank unlike before. This has led me to dedicate most of my time on activities which earns me some money at end of the day.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8.30 am when I was relaxing after taking breakfast with my children when I received a message and upon reading its content, I became so happy and I started singing. we then gathered in our living room as a family so that we could pray to thank God for the blessings that just came in and afterward, I prepared myself and headed to town so that I could withdraw the money as I was eager to hold the cash with my bare hands. On that day, anyone I met could not fail to notice that I was extremely happy unlike other days as the measure of joy I had, had no limits.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
fetching water in our region involves walking for a long distance before getting a river and this is tedious and also time-consuming as one has to go the river on daily basis. When I received my first transfers, I spent part of it on buying a water tank so that I will be using it to store water, especially during the rainy season. I spent the remaining amount in buying some chicken and in building a chicken pen since it has always been my prayer to start poultry farming as it is luxurious with less labor needed.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means never again shall I lack water in my home. Over the years, I have been grappling with water shortage which has limited me to a river about three kilometres away. I have since struggled to draw water to my compound but I lack sufficient storage facilities. Since the supply is regulated to twice a week, my ambition is to purchase a ten thousand litre capacity water tank using my first transfer. Perfectly enough, Give Directly has come in timely to tip the scale. I also envisage to purchase a wire mesh with the remaining amount and invest in poultry farming. This is a miracle come true!
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning just after waking up. At this time my mind is not engaged to any activity and has not been exposed to any interferences that come with the day's activities. The rest of the day involves tracking kilometres away in search of firewood for domestic use. I would come back slightly past noon to prepare lunch for the family after which I take my livestock to drink water in a river about three kilometres away until evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was diagnosed with malignant diabetes in the year 2014 and was admitted to Longisa District hospital for barely 2 weeks. I have since been on and off the hospital for regular check ups and severity monitoring. For close to four years now I have routinely reported to the hospital to purchase monthly medication for every single one of them. It is expensive! My worry is that my four children would not access quality education and social welfare now since we spend all our finances to cater for my monthly medical expenses. This is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
