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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($420 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My focus right now is working on my health and getting the necessary treatment for the tumor that was diagnosed a couple of years ago. What saddens me is lacking resources and funds for the treatment process. The little money my son makes from his casual jobs can hardly put daily meals on the table. This is why I started rearing livestock that could help raise cash for my medication.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, granting needy people aid in the form of cash is what makes Give Directly an outstanding organization. This cash has transformed individuals’ lives in my community in ways that no one would have anticipated. Personally, I own livestock courtesy of the transfers. My only wish is for the cash transfers to return since things have started becoming tough again, and am stuck.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life became tough two years ago after I developed a tumor, which hindered my capacity to actively contribute to the needs of my son and me. Am sad that my son started bearing family responsibilities at a very young age. Ever since he has been taking on casual tasks daily to put food on the table. Sometimes, when in less pain, I make and sell charcoal to relieve the pressure off of him. Give Directly’s cash transfers played a huge role in providing for our basic needs and covering my medical expenses. Instead of using the entire transfer on the essentials, I decided to spend $67 on two goats and $120 on a calf as an investment. I hope to be able to sell these animals in the future and obtain money for my needs. Besides that, the cow will support me in plowing and land preparation during the farming season. Next, I used $30 for medication, where I mostly obtained painkillers for the pain, but the tumor has never healed. After that, I used the remaining funds for food. At least my son and I had enough to eat for at least three months, after which hardships started crawling back in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being illiterate, I did not realize I received the transfer until when my grandchild came to inform me that I had received the transfer. I was relaxing on my bed after taking my morning medicine since I was sick at that time. I felt relieved and happy when learned about the receipt of the aid since I was very sure that I will be able to get proper medical care.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Sleeping on a comfortable bed is the biggest difference in my daily life. Previously, I was sleeping on the floor something that negatively impacted my health conditions as I was always feeling body pain every morning after waking up. In addition, I was able to construct an additional room to my house something that has increased my confidence whenever I received visitors in the house. I will no longer need to seek shelter from neighbours.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 9,000 to purchase proper bedding for myself. Previously, I was sleeping on the floor something that negatively impacted my health conditions as I was always feeling body pain. In addition, I bought 12 iron sheets, building poles, and threads. I intended to expand my house by building an additional room. Most of the time, I had to seek shelter from my neighbors whenever I received guests something that makes me feel uneasy. I also spent KES 3,000 to seek proper medical care. Currently, I am happy that my health condition is improving day by day. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for myself since I could not work because of the illness.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Manually jobs needs people with strength and energy to do them. I am an aged widow whom have been sleeping on the ground without a bed for more than 10 years. I am struggling to feed myself by charcoal burning business since the demicile of my late husband. The earnings I receive from my work does not sustain my household needs and this is the main reason which has made me sleeping on the floor with a mut . My first priority if I receive the first transfer is to buy a bed and a good matress so that I have a comfortable sleep. Will also expand my house to be spacious and then use the second transfer to buy food and goats to keep as my wealthy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter visited me last month and brought me food. What brought joy and happiness is that this food has sustained me for 2 months now.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been sleeping on the floor for more than 10 years. I have been suffering from pneumonia frequently and was advised by the doctor that sleeping on tye floor could be the causative agent of my pneumonia infection. This is the biggest challenge I have so far despite that getting my daily bread is a chaotic phenomenon.