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?
It was around 10 AM when I was heading to the trading center when my mobile phone started ringing so loudly. Since I am illiterate I asked my daughter-in-law who had accompanied me to check the contents of the notifications. After checking, she realized that GiveDirectly had sent to me my first transfer. I felt so happy because I knew my family will no longer have to strain their efforts to pay the medical bill for my spouse who has been ailing for quite some time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest in my daily life is that through the transfers, I was able to clear the hospital bill for my spouse. Previously, he could always complain and cry painfully and be affected as a family. All we could afford was just to buy painkillers for him which were never helpful. As a result, I had to take over the role of the family breadwinner and had to strain so hard to bring food to the table. All my children were jobless and some at school and we had no one to rely on at that particular moment. Life was tough by then and I was even hopeless however I had to be stored for my family. For now, all is well because after visiting the doctor he has been doing pretty fine and I believe very soon he will recover fully. As a family, we are so grateful because through the transfers, his health is now restored and it's a huge relief to my family considering the amount of money that was needed for his medication. May God bless this organization for its good deeds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 9000 of my first transfer on buying three goats that I am currently keeping in my compound. I had been yearning to keep them for a while but because of my financial status, I could not afford it. I also bought some building poles, and threads purposely for the contraction of a new house because the previous one was very small. I later cleared school fees of KES 20000 for my children who are in secondary schools in the city. I also cleared the hospital bill for my spouse who has been ailing for quite some time. He was diagnosed with chronic stomach ulcers and I am happy he is doing quite fine after getting proper medication. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means changing my house from mud to a permanent one. I am living in a one bedroom house which is mud and it allows wind which makes me feel uncomfortable during night. Upon receiving this money, I will use 35000 KES to buy cement, pay labour and other materials so as to make it permanent one. I will also use 50000 KES to buy 20 goats as investment. I will also use 25000 to pay schy fees for my grandson who is in secondary school. He has been on and off due to school fees problem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning. This is because my grandsons normally come to say hello to me before they got to school. I feel happy seeing them rushing to school every morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My village has been under drought for four months now. On July 2021 , I went to look for water at Mikamini a distance of 6km. On the way , I was attacked by wild animals and my leg got broken. I was helpless from morning till in the afternoon when neighbors came for my rescue and took me to hospital. I have not recovered fully but I can walk on my own. That is the biggest hardship I faced in my life.
