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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am looking forward to spending KSH 500 from the transfer to start a business. I have, for the longest time, depended heavily on my eldest son, who works in Mombasa, to provide for the family. It has become challenging for him to provide for his own family and his parents too because of the little salary he gets. It has been two years now since my husband got paralyzed after suffering from an unknown disease. This now leaves me with no option but to start the business, earn a living from it, and take care of my husband. I am also planning to save the remaining amount of KSH 2500 in a Chama. I would like to get a loan and use the money to buy a dairy cow. The sale of the milk will help in ensuring that I cater to the family's needs and medical expenses for my husband.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of ensuring that every needy person within a village has an equal opportunity to get enrolled. With GiveDirectly have not seen instances of biasness or favoritism towards anybody or certain members of the community. This has made it easy for us the community to welcome them freely and we are grateful that it is changing the lives of many people.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSH 500 of the transfer in buying 5 one day old chicks. I plan to rear the chicken and once they are mature enough I will sell them and earn a living from that. I also saved the remaining amount of KSH 2500. I am planning on buying some goats with the cash. I decided to wait a little bit longer because of the drought. Once we have experienced much rain I will then go ahead and purchase the goats and start rearing them too.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am. I was from fetching water that I was going to use for cooking breakfast. My sister came and told me that I had received a message on my phone. When I looked into it I confirmed that I had received the money. I shared the good news with everybody who was at home at that time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The big difference is that I was able to help my husband build his house and he is now all smile happy that his house is now better than before. This was a project that I had longed to do for a very long time and now that I have been able to do it I am very happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSH 500 helping my husband build his house because his house was in very bad condition. His house was falling because of the weak materials used in building the house. I used the money to pay the mason who was building the house. In addition, I saved KSH 700 just in case I encounter an emergency I will use the money to settle my bills.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a subsistence farmer, who depends entirely on my farm produce. I am old and my husband is unwell. He is bedridden and depends on me to cater to all his needs. The current drought situation has made life impossible, food is hard to come by, at times have to go to bed hungry. This money will be a source of hope to me, I am sure I will have food to feed my family once I receive this transfer.
I will still use part of the money to reconstruct my house, it falls apart especially when it rains.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Every time we cross over to a near year is a source of joy. Being of old age, life in itself is a gift of which I am grateful.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of food is my main challenge, my sick husband needs to feed well and take his medication for him to recover. I get worried every time the day comes to an end and we do not have food. I have seven children but all of them are married with their own families, I do not wish to be a burden to them.
