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?
When my son, who has been helping me in Mpesa operations, informed me that I had received a message from GiveDirectly that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer, I was very excited and thanked God for the provision. It was around 7:00 PM then and could not send him to collect since it was late. In the next morning, he visited the nearby shopping center where he collected all the transfer that i had been using.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the regained dignity in my family after begging for a liter of milk from the neighborhood when I could not buy to owning a dairy cow that is currently expectant. I have been grateful to my supportive neighbors and the extended family when I had nothing at all. It is my prayer that I will also stand in when they need support in the future as I believe that my life will soon be better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been buying at least a liter of milk daily for my family of two for the past two years. This started when I sold the last breed which I was keeping to settle the medical bill for my daughter, who had been struggling with a chronic illness. This has never been easier and had even lost hope of ever buying any livestock since I have no other source of income apart from the small-scale farming that I have been doing. The receipt of the first transfer was a relief and had to spend KES 40000 on a six months in-calf dairy cow that has given me hope of a plentiful supply of milk again. At that moment, my only daughter whom I am living with was not feeling well and had to spend the remaining KES 10000 on her medication. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the generous support and hopeful that the second transfer will be useful in initiating other projects.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My daughter is epileptic and she is always in medication.It cost us up to KES 5000 in three month to take care of her and medication. She cannot be left alone because she violent and uncontrollable a times. This doesn't give me time to work or concentrate on other things. I'm happy that Give Directly money will help me for a medication and sustain our basic needs for sometime.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was given a spacious place to live by my distance relatives. I could not live with my son because my younger daughter is sick and when she turns violent, she destroy things while injuring young children. I was a bit relieved and at peace because we have enough space for her to stay without coming in contact with other children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenges I have is taking care of my 35year sold daughter who is epileptic. She is violent and uncontrollable a times and she needs all time check. I cannot look for some jobs to sustain ourselves but rather stay around her always. I need to work for us to eat but I cannot because of her sickness.
