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?
I was at home relaxing when my helper came to me singing happily and informed me that GiveDirectly had finally sent the promised money and my heart was filled with joy from hearing this. My spouse was sick and needed urgent medication and with this money at my disposal, I knew that he would finally get the required medical attention. I am happy that he has enough medicine to last him till the end of the month and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My spouse has been sick for the last year and because of this, he has been rendered bedridden. He is needed to use drugs regularly, have frequent check-ups, and take a balanced diet meal, and all these need a lot of money. I am old and we depend on our children for most of our needs. With the transfer, we were able to take him for his check-up and bought some drugs and food to last us for some time. Being able to achieve this makes my life different as my children can now concentrate on other things they may need. I am glad that I can support my spouse without depending on my children's financial support for a short while.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 30000 to purchase a dairy cow as a way of investing this money. I had one that my children have been helping me feed it and I am planning to alternate their lactation periods so that my family can always have enough milk for our consumption. In addition, I spent KES 15000 to cater for my husband's medication as he was sick and needed urgent medication. Using the remaining KES 9000, I bought some clothes, two sacks of maize, and other foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better care for my husband who is ailing. He is suffering from a heart condition coupled with the problems of his old age. My biggest aim is to provide all that is needed to treat him by paying his medical fees and mainly, growing the kind of crops that he has been advised to feed on. my biggest challenge is getting money to do this. I am also very old ,with a high blood pressure problem. I rely on my children who send about KES 3000 per month, not enough to cater for our needs.When I receive this transfers, I can farm all the crops that is required in his diet, mainly, sorghum, millet, and african indiginouse vegetables Using about KES 10,000 . I will spend about KES 30,000 on his medication. I will spend the transfer to take care of him in his old age and treat my condition as well. I will also buy some furniture to improve my home at a cost of about KES 30,000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. I usually wake up feeling well and strong. I think that sleeping helps to ease the pain that I go through with my high blood pressure problem, when I go about my daily business of home keeping activities like cleaning and cooking. In the morning, my body is at its best condition and this makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face is poor health. I have a high blood pressure condition that requires me to constanly take medicine. I am no longer strong enough to work on my farm which was my only source of income and to produce food for the household. I even have to sell my chicken to pay for medicine and to even take care of my ailing husband.
