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 5 pm while just relaxing at home when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. At the sight of the good news, I was very happy and started jumping up and down.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving my transfers is happiness. This is because through the transfers I have started a poultry project which will be a source of income to sustain my family.
Secondly, through the transfers, I have cleared school fees arrears for my daughter. This is because my daughter used to be in and out of school and this used to give me sleepless nights. But after receiving the transfers I can now sleep stress-free.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When my daughters were married off I received many dairy cows as the dowry price. But all these were sold off for my medication as I have been in and out of the hospital have undergone a lot of surgeries. Therefore, when I received my first transfer I spent KES 20,000 on a heifer. This will not only be a source of milk and income for my family as well.
Secondly, I spent KES 10,000 on clearance of school fees for my daughter in high school. This is because due to my health condition I couldn't afford to pay school fees and my daughter was in and out of school.
Thirdly, I spent KES 14,000 on a barbed wire fence for fencing my homestead. This has helped to keep my poultry and home secure.
Fourthly, I spent KES 4,000 on 10 chick layers and 10 broilers because they grow fast. Once grown the layers will be a source of income through the sale of eggs and broilers can be sold for meat.
Lastly, I spent KES 9,000 on three bags of maize and KES 6,000 on the latest clothing fashion. This is because before, I used to rely on farming and the sale of sugarcane, bananas, oranges, and avocados for food and school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Three years ago I underwent an operation at Tenwek hospital which drained my family financially. My husband had to sell all the livestock to raise money for the same. I thank God that all went well and I came out alive and my desire right now is to recover what my family lost during the time I was sick. If I get lucky to be successfully enrolled, I will spend my transfer to but 2 cows each costing KES 20000. Receiving this money will help me recover the assets that were sold to raise money for my medical bill
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the last three months, there has been a great improvement on my health judging from the report from my doctor. This has been my greatest source of happiness and has renewed my hopes of fully recovering soon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2019, I fell sick and was taken to Tenwek hospital where I underwent an operation. Due to the expensive nature of this treatment, my husband sold all the assets including livestock and a portion of land to raise more than KES 150000 that was required before the operation could begin. As we talk my family is financially drained and nothing seems to be working. I feel like I am the cause of all this because had I not gotten sick my family would not be in this state. I am yet to fully recover because I still go for regular checks and my doctor has warned me not to engage in any activity that is energy-draining
