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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to start livestock rearing especially goats keeping. This is a long-term investment for my family as am planning to sell the offspring to assist me whenever I face financial challenges. In addition, I intend to enlarge my house because it is very small by building an additional room.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did for coming for our rescue with the cash transfer program that has helped us to transform our lives in a big way. I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is the responsibility for a parent to ensure that their son pays a dowry at the in-law place according to our tradition. This was frustrating me since I had no money to support him in settling it. I spent KES 25,000 to pay part of the dowry price for my daughter-in-law. In addition, I used KES 10,000 to seek proper medical care for myself this is because I am suffering from chronic ulcers and high blood pressure which requires me to be constantly under medical care. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food and water due to the drought that had struck our area for over 2.5 years now.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I was from the dam when a message notification popped in. Since I am illiterate I asked one of my sons to confirm for me its contents. Upon checking, he realized that GiveDirectly has debited my first transfer as promised. I was so happy and without wasting time, I had to inform all my family members about this great news. I will forever be thankful to God and the organization for the support because I can now accomplish my dreams which I never expected would come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my health is now good courtesy of GiveDirectly. Back in the day, I could not do any house chores because of the stomach and back pains that I had been experiencing for years. All I could afford was just to take painkillers which were not helpful at all. Being old and jobless I only depended on my spouse who earns a KES 100 in a day which only caters for our daily meals. Therefore getting the amount of money for proper medical attention was not achievable. With the family of six, whom others were still in school life was tough because paying their school fees on time was also another mess. This was a clear illustration that it would take years for me to visit a doctor. I am now happy because I feel relieved after getting good medication, I can do the normal house chores and everything that I couldn't do when I was sick. If it was not for GiveDirectly, I would still be living a miserable life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on clearing hospital bills since I have been ailing for quite some time and I had no coin to cater for better healthcare attention. I am glad I am now recovering and becoming even healthier day by day. In addition, I gave my son KES 15000 to boost his hotel business in town since that was his only source of income he depended on and the business was about to collapse because of the challenges he encountered eg, lack of enough capital. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I used it to buy enough foodstuffs considering I am still under medication, the doctor advised me to be taking balanced diets without skipping any meal. I am so happy this has been of help.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better livelihood to my household because I intend to ensure my 2 daughters who completed their secondary education secure their dream jobs. Despite my struggle to educate them, they have been jobless because it has never been possible to advance their studies in colleges. I have desired to spend my transfers to pay for their college fees once I receive them. One aspires to do driving and the second one intends to be a hairdresser and I estimated this to cost me utmost $500 of my transfers. Achieving this will mean a reliable sources of income to my household as well as making my children self-reliant. Also, I have suffered from pressure and ulcers but I have never received proper medication due to lack of money. I will, therefore, spend the remaining amount to seek medication from big hospitals to end my worries that have for a long time robbed my joy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up in the morning when I am healthy is something that gives me a feeling of happiness. Considering my health condition where I suffer from pressure and ulcers, it is always a feeling of jovial and also having the opportunity to thank God for keeping me safe.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have for a long time suffered from pressure and ulcers but due to the lack of money, I have never sorted it out and this has robbed my joy in life. I mostly feel unhappy when my condition worsens and I have always wished to seek proper medication but all in vain. Therefore, I have always considered financial instability as the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
