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 in the hospital, looking after my daughter, who was unwell and had just been admitted. When I received the message from GiveDirectly, I couldn't read it myself. I asked my daughter to check for me, and she confirmed I had received my first transfer. I felt so overwhelmed with joy. I immediately called Tracy, my helper, and asked her to come the next day to help me withdraw the money. I knew that finally I could help my daughter with her hospital bills and make sure she got the care she needed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly made an incredible difference in my life during a very challenging time. My daughter was sick and admitted to the hospital. The doctors recommended transferring her to a county referral hospital, but I did not have the money for it. Just when I felt hopeless, the transfer arrived, allowing me to cover her referral and hospital bills. Thanks to that timely support, she underwent surgery, was discharged, and is now recovering well. God bless you, GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly was truly timely. It felt like a blessing from God. My daughter had been in the hospital for a week, and the doctors wanted us to transfer her to the county referral hospital, but I didn’t have the money for it. Thankfully, the cash transfer came just in time, and I spent $100 to cover her referral and hospital bill. I’m relieved to say that her surgery went well, and she has already been discharged and is recovering nicely. While I was in the hospital, my husband and four grandchildren had to take food items from the shop on credit since I was away, which resulted in a debt of $60 that I was able to clear. With the remaining $20, I covered transport for my granddaughter, who is now in primary school in another county. Her parents passed away, and she received a scholarship for her education, so I only have to manage her transport and minor expenses. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your timely support!
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We are living in a single room with my family of four, this makes me feel embarrassed. It is unfortunate that I am not stable financially to build another house for my family. I am happy that the transfers from GiveDirectly will enable me to build a spacious and habitable house for my household. This will cost $400 of the transfers. I am tired of working on casual jobs in order to provide and put food on the table for my family. I am glad that GiveDirectly's cash transfer will enable me to produce food for the family. I will also spend $200 of my transfers to pay school fees for my daughter Doris who is in Mosoriot training college.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The recent flash floods made our life difficult and devastating. For the last four months, most families fell sick due to the effects of floods. The area was invaded by mosquitoes and malaria infection was high. I am happy that none of my household members fell sick.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am elderly and this makes it difficult for me to work casually and earn a living. I am therefore struggling financially to provide for my family and pay school fees for my daughter Doris who is in Mosoriot training college. Due to financial challenges, we are constantly experiencing a food shortage in the family. We are forced to skip meals or use less preferred food like porridge during lunch hour.
