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?
It was the happiest moment in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly. I celebrated together with the entire family thanking God and praising the organization for eventually fulfilling its promises. I remember it was around 11 am when I received the message alert on my phone. I was under the shade chopping vegetables to prepare lunch for the family. Being illiterate, I had to wait for my daughter who had gone to fetch water at the nearby tap water stall which is one kilometre away from my home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to restart my livestock rearing is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am grateful that I was able to restore my financial position after all my livestock died two years ago due to the drought. Furthermore, I was able to pay part of the dowry payment of my daughter-in-law and optimistic that my son will be able to reunite with his family again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had desired to restart my livestock rearing, an activity that I was depending on, but all my livestock died due to the drought that was encountered in our area two years ago. I used KES 30,000 to purchase a local dairy cow that will ensure enough supply of milk as well as sell the extra litres to earn a living. I also used KES 11,000 to assist my son in the payment of the dowry after my daughter-in-law had to return to her parental home after failing to pay the pending dowry. Furthermore, I bought a sack of maize for KES 4,800 so that I may have enough food for the family as well as use KES 2000 to clear the debt at the food store where I had taken foodstuffs on loan. Lastly, I spent the remaining to purchase 3 goats long term investment for myself.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My 2 only sons married some years back but later their wives were taken back to their parent's home due to failure to pay dowry. My daughter-in-law was the one who was assisting me with house chores because I am elderly. Life has not been easy because I suffer a lot doing the chores. Receiving this money means reunion. I am planning to spend KES 60,000 to clear all the dowry balances so that they can come back to their husbands and support me too. Other than that, I will spend the remaining amount to seek medication in referral hospitals.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In December my elder son secured a job, though it is a contract at least he earns something from it. brought a lot of joy to my life because he has been living without employment for almost 4 years. Nowadays he can provide for my basic needs such as food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sickness is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. For the past 2 months, I have been suffering from persistent headaches. Though I have visited several hospitals, all have been in vain. This has deteriorated my health and I can not do anything. Financial constraints are another challenge I am experiencing.
