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?
While at home at around 7 pm, I heard a message but I did not bother checking since I do not know how to read. Due to illiteracy, I forgot that I had received a message and continued with my work. When the helper took the phone to make a call to someone when she saw the money message. The helper informed me of the transfer and I was so happy to get the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
During the rainy season, there was no difference between being in the house and outside. The house was leaking from every corner. Not only leaking but also it was collapsing on one side. Therefore, it was looked into all the areas and proper renovation was done. As of now, I am thankful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to have a good and stable house through the transfer they sent me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received and withdrew the money, hunger was disturbing my family since we did not harvest anything in the last planting season. Based on that, I bought a sack of maize for KES 6800.00. Therefore, I opted to renovate my house because it was leaking profusely during the rain season. So, I bought 24 pieces of iron sheets, ridges, and nails for KES 29000.00 I also bought some poles and rafters for KES 7190.00 and KES 9100.00 for the contactor.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been longing for help to renovate my house which is linking. This house was built almost 15years ago by my son who is now a deceased and he was the only child. Whenever rains come even the little ones also have to make me move my bed from one corner to the other. So when i heard that GiveDirectly is helping people, i knew my prayers have been answered. Therefore, i plan to use my first transfer to buy new iron sheets for my structure as well as putting new poles that will reenforces the foundation. When all that is done then i will use my next transfer to buy food since i can not do any strenuous activities.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When i was diagnosed with the kidney stones, i was very scared. After the treatment, i got well and that is exactly what made me thank my God for his amazing grace.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was enjoying life until when my only child died so many years ago. Ever since i have been struggling to get food unless someone sympathize with me it is when i get something to eat. My son had left a business but some of my grandchildren destroyed it and now it is almost closing down. I have to beg them to give me money which was totally different from their father.
Additionally, early this year i was diagnosed with kidney stones which have been disturbing me badly. I underwent a treatment of which am still taking the medication.
