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 7am while taking tea when I heard my phone ring. I immediately gave it to my helper who checked and confirmed I had received KES55000 from GiveDirectly and I was overwhelmed with tears of joy because I had suffered lack for a long time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving this transfers is availability of adequate food. Nowadays, I can eat four times a day but before I used to eat twice because my porridge selling business would yield no fruits at times. As a result I have grown healthier and happier. Through the transfers, my son has also recovered from kidney disease.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES20000 on purchase of building materials for building a more spacious modern semipermanent house to accommodate visitors.This is because I have been living in an old grass thatched house for the last thirty years.KES13000 was used on settlement of my son's medical bill who was suffering from Kidney diseases.I spent KES 6700 on food and household items and the rest on clothing for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine living in one grass-thatched house with my grandchildren, this brings me embarrassment now that there is no privacy. Above all, the roof is leaking and when it rains we squeeze ourselves in the corner. With this money, I will use KES 60000 to build a three-roomed house made of iron sheet. This will house us and we will be happy as a family. I will also buy a cow with the remaining money to help us produce milk for our domestic use and sell the surplus milk, this will earn us income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health is a precious gift to have in life, this assures you of working hard to provide for your family. For the last six months, I enjoyed good health and I was able to provide for my family regardless of the financial struggle. This brought me joy and happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am struggling to provide food for my household. I rely on village casual jobs like farming to earn a living. This pays little about KES 200 daily or at times I miss securing a job making me have nothing to buy food.
