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?
Since we are used to eating late as a family, It was around 8 pm when I wanted to go to the kitchen to prepare the evening meal when I received a message on my phone. I called my daughter to check what the message was all about only to turn out that, its good news about the first transfer which had been deposited into my account. I ululated in happiness for receiving the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that was brought by the transfer is the access to food for the family. Since it was a drought season, we used to stay for some days without food but we are now grateful because since the day I withdrew the money we have been getting food and my family is doing well. This difference and the access to food could not be felt by my family if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first bought two goats as a sign of gratitude to GiveDirectly knowing that they will make a mark on the organization through procreation. I also bought two beds and two mattresses since we were sleeping on the floor and I decided to make a change through GiveDirectly. I took some amount to do foodstuff shopping for the family and used the rest in doing some small renovations to my house which had no cemented floor.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been living in my son's house for the fifth year now. This has not been my wish because it has denied him privacy for long. I am planning to use KES 40,000 from the GiveDirectly transfers to construct a two-bedroom house for my family. This will ensure that my son repossess his house and will allow him to get married. I will use a further KES 20,000 to seek medication in better hospitals to treat my swollen leg. This condition has been persistent for so long such that I am unable to walk well. The balance from the transfers will be used to buy food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My caring son makes me happy because recently he has been doing a lot to make sure that I have enough food. Moreover, I eat a balanced diet and this has brought joy and happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My swollen right leg has denied me peace for long. Sometimes I am unable to sleep because of the pains I endure. My family's financial constraints have made it impossible for me to get better medication from hospitals in town. This has been the biggest challenge in my life.
