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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($448 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would love to start a grocery shop business and sell Vegetables such as cabbages, tomatoes, carrots, spinach and potatoes . That would ideally be what I would like to do .I believe this would put me in the best position to better care for my kids and secure their future by being able to educate them well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It had been three months of living in a house that was bent to the side. That's how bad things had gotten for us as a family. Just like an angel, GiveDirectly swooped in and answered all our prayers. Now we are in what I could call a brand new house! GiveDirectly truly excels at fulfilling the dreams of the less fortunate
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers from GiveDirectly couldn't have come at a better time. I had recently had a stroke, leaving the left side of my body in partial paralysis. I had to go to Kilifi to seek specialised help. These funds were instrumental in servicing my medical bills and purchasing my medication. Prior to my stroke I used to till our 4 acre farm, growing maize, wheat and other cereals, but since my illness hit, I haven't been able to do so. That has left my mason husband, who works at Bamba Centre, as the sole bread winner in the home. While the treatment has helped, he still has to cater for our Grade 4, Grade 3 and three Grade 2 children, for whom $ 21,each, is paid for by my husband and by God's grace, GiveDirectly. While they all study at Mariani Primary, it has been a struggle convincing the school to bear with us while we try to figure out our finances. We truly appreciate what GiveDirectly has done for us.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a difficult evening for me at around 3 pm when I received a message on my phone while in a hospital bed. Since I know how to read I tried my level best to wake up and check what the message was all about. I felt energized and encouraged to see that I had received the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly at a time when I needed the money most.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am glad that the transfer enabled me to settle a hospital bill when I was admitted. It also enabled me to buy some prescribed medicine which could be challenging for me if it were not for the transfer. In addition to that, I was able to pay a deposit for a piece of land and soon I will be owning land. All this could not be possible if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was pay the hospital bill of KES 12000.00, and buy some prescribed medicines for KES 5000.00. Thereafter, I opted to fulfill a long-time desire of buying a one-acre plot of land for farming. The plot cost was KES 60000.00 but I paid a deposit of KES 30000.00. For the remaining amount, I opted to buy some food.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am the second wife to my spouse. I gave birth to one child (a girl). She was once married but due to family conflicts, she separated with her husband 5 years ago and she came back to the village together with her 5 children. Life has been very difficult for us since came back because we are not in a position to provide for our basic needs. We rely on charcoal burning which earns us KES 600 per week to sustain ourselves, which is not enough to cater to our needs. My ambition over the years has been to own a better house where we can sleep comfortably. This is because I am currently sharing one room with my 5 grandchildren and the walls of the house are almost falling off. I, therefore, intend to use KES 50000 to construct a two-bedroom house with an iron sheet roof that will accommodate us comfortably. I will also spend KES 20000 to buy 2 beds and mattresses to avoid the cold floor. Therefore, receiving this money will mean getting a new safer house for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of February, my grandchildren were sent out of school due to their huge school fees balances. So opted to start a new business of selling firewood so that I can clear their school fees balances. My business succeeded because in that single month I was able to make KES 2000. This brought happiness to my life because I was able to pay school fees for my grandchildren, and they went back to school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is famine. This has been made worse by the ongoing drought. Feeding my 5 grandchildren is not easy given that I depend on charcoal burning to get money. This job earns me as little as KES 600 per week. This amount is not enough to cater to all our needs. We occasionally skip meals something that stresses me a lot.
