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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to high blood pressure, I stopped fending for myself, which made me highly rely on my sister-in-law to provide for basic needs. I am extremely excited to benefit from the transfers because they cater to my necessities, which helps reduce the dependent burden on relatives. Whenever I receive money, my priority is food; so I spent 4,000 KES on foodstuffs like maize flour, sugar, and relish. I also save 500 KES from every transfer to acquire iron sheets for revamping the leaky roof of my house. Additionally, I bought two chickens and a goat worth 700 KES and 3500 KES respectively to maintain sources of emergency funds.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion I believe this program s doing a greater good because some of us would go hungry for weeks since we did not have any money to provide for ourselves and our families but through this funds we are now better off.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I had run out of food in the house when I received the money I immediately went ahead to buy a bag of maize flour which contained twelve packets for KES 1,200 which I knew would last me a while and two kilograms of sugar for KES 150. During the last transfer I received I managed to save KES 1,000 so I took my savings and added to the KES 1,650 that I was left with and sold some of my chicken so that I could have enough money to buy a goat which cost me KES 3,000 in total since I wanted to start rearing goats hopefully for both domestic and commercial use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Actually when the message came in I waited until my grandkids came back from school so that they could read me the message. I was so pleased to see that I had received the money because I felt like a useful person once again and so happy I could finally have food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the money I have received I have managed to at least sustain my self because I am old and used to sell firewood to earn a living because my husband passed on a long time ago and my job itself does not pay as much, so receiving the money was cute a huge help to say the least.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the money I decided to get food for myself so I got a sack of maize flour which contained twelve packets inside and this would take a while to even think of buying the next one and it totalled to KES 1200. My clothes were also torn and I did not own even a pair of a decent wrapper to tie, so I bought a single pair of the wrapper which cost me KES 600. Due to the fact that my health was not great at the time I also went ahead and got medical attention which amounted KES 500. Lastly I got a chicken that I planned on rearing which was KES 300 and accompanied with things I needed in my house like tea leaves, sugar, tomatoes and potatoes
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband succumbed to tuberculosis more than 50 years ago despite our efforts to seek medical help. He had married a second wife with my support as I desperately needed a helper at home. After his demise, I struggled to raise the two children he left me, with my co-wife bearing the burden of raising four of her own. Unemployed and with no way of earning a living, I had no choice but to give away my two daughters to early marriages. I was left all alone, with no one to look after me in my old age. Even though my daughters remit some money home from time to time, it is not enough for my upkeep as my food reserves can barely last a year. With these transfers, I can now afford to buy nutritious food enough to last me all year and lessen the burden of relying on my daughters for support.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Getting nutritious food has been a real challenge to me. I am not employed and sometimes I engage in palm wine selling. Whenever I get the opportunity to eat to my satisfaction, this becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine being uneducated, jobless and having to raise your two young daughters all by yourself. That was the case when my husband passed on some 50 years back. I went through an experience every mother dreads, that of having to marry off her young daughters afraid that you can’t bear to see them suffer due to lack of basic needs. I carry these memories to date, they are my life’s most painful moments.
