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?
I was resting under a tree near my house, away from the scorching sun, when my helper came running towards me, holding my phone. He broke the good news that I had received my first transfer. Wow! I could not believe it as I did not expect to receive such a huge sum amount of money. I felt much joy in my heart and thanked the Lord for the miracle he had done.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Buying the livestock has made a tremendous difference in my life since receiving the transfer. The goats are an investment for the future once they multiply in numbers. I can sell some and use the money to attend to my health attention when I don’t have money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I earned a living as a carpenter until I was diagnosed with heart problems and quit my job. I currently depend on my wife, who earns a living as a shopkeeper. The amount she earns is only enough to buy food for the family. When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 9000 on buying 3 goats. I bought the goats as an investment for the future. My principal aim is to rear the goats and ensure they multiply in numbers. Taking care of the goats will give me an opportunity to kill the boredom of staying at home doing no work. I also spent KES 6000 on buying a bicycle that will aid my wife is carrying the heavy jerricans of water from a faraway distance (50km) to my home. Finding water in my home area is difficult due to the drought that struck three years ago. I spent a small portion on buying food for the family and avoiding starvation. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on seeking medical attention for my heart condition.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It's such a huge relief for Give directly to visit, I had recently started to construct business premises at the town centre but it stopped for lack of finances. I was diagnosed with heart disease and my operation was November last year, we spent about 300,000 KSH from neighbors contributions and other well wishers.
There are very few shops around and there is a large demand, many people want to start income generating activities but lack the space.
I plan to construct 4 semi permanent rooms which is half way and KSH 55,000 is enough to finish the project, which includes buying few materials which will cost 40,000 KSH, the remaining amount of 15,000 KSHwhich will pay for labour.
By building the shops, it will be a source of bringing monthly earnings to my family. We expected each shop to bring about 600-1000 KSH a month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Am grateful for another chance in life, I have suffered so much, just being in bed and unable to walk or talk to anyone, but today am recovering day by day and by Give directly visiting have awoken all dreams I have wanted to accomplish in life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been working as a carpenter for over 10 years, but life suddenly changed, when I started suffering from diseases including pneumonia, pressure and have been in and out of hospitals for 3 years.
I visited a specialist and after lot of intensive medical tests, I was diagnosed with heart disease, I underwent a successful surgery in November last year.
My family spent so much money for drugs, unplanned hospital visits and paying specialist, and at the moment we are living a difficult life and have no pennies left, just depending on my wife who does casual jobs from nearby farms and earns 100ksh a day which can't even buy food, and other basic need or even save for emergencies.
