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.
Follow to
be updated on Kasichana's next check-in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am while still in bed when I heard my phone vibrating. I stretched my hand to pick it up only to realize it was a message. Being unable to read, I gave it to my husband who is the helper to confirm what kind of a message it was on such a morning. The information brightened my morning; he informed me that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I jumped out of my bed in happiness and I almost ululated but I contained myself since I did not want people to know about it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, my living condition was not pleasing. I was fending from hand to mouth since I had no defined source of income. At some point, I could stay up to two days without getting some food but as of now, I am thankful for the aid I received from GiveDirectly. I am now assured of some daily food not as before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing was to take care of my sick child who had been bedridden for a while. I used KES 15000.00 to take him to a specialist but unfortunately, he could not withstand thus he passed on. Thereafter, I opted to construct a new house in a different place since where I was living had some household issues and I was not comfortable. I used the remaining amount to build the house and got two mattresses to start with.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The small constricted two-bedroom house cannot accommodate my family of ten. My two boys are forced to seek shelter from neighbors. This has detached them from our family so we have less control over them. I will use my transfers to construct a house for my children. I will spend 10,000 KES on poles, 20,000KES on iron sheets, and 20,000 for labor. The will take some of the remaining amount a purchase a large sulfuric(cooking pot) for hire. This will generate profit and I will be able to sustain my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy because yesterday I successfully gave birth to my eighth baby. Throughout my pregnancy, I have had no complications which is something worthy of celebrating.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have an epileptic daughter who is six years old. She has not been able to walk as a result of her condition. I have been on and off hospital until I exhausted my resources. She had appointments to meet a doctor at Kilifi general hospital after every month. She to quit medication due to lack of money to pay for her medical bills and the fare to and from the hospital. The amount I get from my charcoal business(350KES daily all goes into feeding the family).
