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 received the message alert at around 3 pm when I had visited my father for a family discussion. We were to align concerning a ritual function that was to happen at my home. Since I was busy, I did not bother to check out the message because I was preoccupied by the talks. At around 7 pm when I returned home and the grandchild checked the phone and informed me that I had received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy knowing that my dreams will finally be realized through the aid.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I can now afford to provide food for my family without much difficulty. Previously, we had to sleep without food for 3 days a week which was a miserable life Additionally, I am very grateful that I own a mobile phone through the transfer. Nowadays, I can communicate with my children who are away from home every day with ease.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer to start livestock rearing by purchasing 2 indigenous cows for $300. One was a dairy cow that would supply the family with enough for use as well as sell some to earn a living. With the other being a bull, I intend to use it for the death ritual for my late wife who passed away 4 years ago. I had not been able to perform this important rite of passage according to our tradition due to lack of enough money. In addition, I used $30 to support the education of my granddaughter who is pursuing a nursing course at Kenya Medical College. Similarly, I cleared all the fee arrears for my 3 children who are in grade 6 and are about to do their final exam this month. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing enough food for the family 6.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I married my wife back in 1979, she was my one and only wife. Together we are blessed with eight strong and beautiful children. In 2014 my wife was diagnosed with esophagus cancer and this was the beginning of a very painful journey for her, and me as her husband. She was constantly in and out of hospitals. I used all I had to ensure she got the best treatment I could afford, I sold my assets, especially livestock. With time I ran out of resources until my only option was to borrow from family and friends. Unfortunately, she passed on in 2017 three months after her last visit to the hospital and a day after she came back home after staying with my daughter who was taking care of her in Kilifi.
It was my daily prayer that she would fight and overcome this disease but that did not happen. Four years down the line I am still in debt and when she passed on I was not able to give her a befitting send-off.
In our custom, I am not allowed to remarry until I organize a two-day celebration where family comes together and mourns the deceased. I have to slaughter a cow or three goats for the occasion. Only until then, I am allowed to remarry.
I need someone at home who can help me take care of my four sons who are still in school and also attend to my needs, a wife would be the most ideal person in this case.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am blessed with one daughter who got married in 2018. In June 2021 I had to go to my in-laws and take her back since they had stayed without clearing her dowry. I was so surprised and happy at the same time when three months later they came to clear the dowry. They gave me 10000 KES which helped me to clear some loans and school fees arrears for my four other sons in school.
It was such a joy to be honored by my inlaws. My daughter also was happy because she was almost losing hope that her husband would not come back for her.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Access to water has been my major challenge since it takes a lot of time to go to the stream. I am old, and a widow. It has been four years now since my wife passed on. I have the burden of taking care of my four sons who are still in school. I cook, at times go to the stream myself to fetch water. Days I have to fetch water are the most challenging because every other household chore has to wait till I am back from the stream. There are days I go to the stream and come back home without water since it is the main source for most people in the village and some have an advantage over me since they can hire motorcycles to assist in fetching water.
