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.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by helping needy people in the society. It’s through these funds that my children continue with their education. Since receiving the funds, my children have continuously been attending school and not sent home. I am very grateful for the help from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, I spent it all in paying school fees for my two children who are in secondary school. Of the two, the eldest will move to form four later in the year while the youngest will move to form two. The cumulative school debt for the two was KSH 4000. With the KSH 3000 I received, I shared equally between the two. I did so to prevent them from being sent home and in interrupting their studies since they were about to sit for their exams. I am happy that they could sit for their exams and will excel well as they get closer to their careers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my house sleeping because I was not feeling well. My health condition was worsening each day. My phone, which was beside me, rang out loudly. Since I was in much pain, I did not bother to look into the phone. My daughter-in-law later came in and I asked her to check it for me. She informed me I had received my transfer. I quickly asked her to buy medicine for me so that I could feel better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference the transfer has brought me in my life is helping me buy medicine to cure my health condition. At the time I was receiving the transfer, my health condition was very much worse. After purchasing the medicine, I can say that my condition has relatively improved and I improving each day thanks to the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to work on my farm a few months ago. Then I became very sick and stopped working on the farm. Since then I have been having severe body pains and a dry cough which has been a hindrance for me going back to work on the farm. I currently do not have a job and depend mostly on my son who works as a casual laborer to earn a living. My son has a family of his own and the little he gets is not to feed all of us. I changed my way of life and I now survive on one meal and on a good day, I enjoy two meals a day. When I received my transfer, I spent KSH 500 to buy some over-the-counter drugs for my medication. The body pains and the cough were becoming unbearable, and I had to buy the drugs to sustain the situation. I spent the rest of the money in buying food. On the advice from the pharmacist, I was supposed to eat well so that the drugs can work well with my body. This forced me to buy some packets of milk, fruits and maize flour for my consumption.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Will use the transfers to construct a one-bedroom permanent structure. My current house has the walls in a state of falling. The rest will stand for my medication since am ever sick.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Midmorning hours are my best. I normally shiver with cold during the night. This makes me long for daytime, especially when the sun is not scorching.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sickness weakened my body. I rely on over-the-counter drugs since I have no money to seek better medication.
