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 on my way to the hospital in the morning when I receive a message that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer. I was very happy to receive the promised amount and at the time that I needed it the most. I had to call back home as I proceed to the hospital to inform my wife who was very joyous as well. I could not withdraw that day but had to get the medication I needed first, got back home, and later collected the full amount on the second day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the huge transformation I have witnessed within a very short time. From the basic income that I had been receiving from the inconsistent construction work to making great steps towards establishing my own income-generating business is a no-mean achievement. I am thankful and looking forward to ensuring that my retail shop will be operational once I receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The strenuous casual labor I had been doing on the construction sites had never paid well enough to allow me to make some savings that would have initiated the ideas I have always had. It was with great thanks when I received the first transfer as it was a start of a better future for my family of six. At the top of my to-do list was the establishment of a small retail business but first had to put up a shop that took an approximate cost of KES 45000 after buying the construction materials and paying the labor force. I am happy that the shop is well set and looking forward to stocking it once I receive the second transfer. I also spent part of the remaining amount on buying household foodstuff worth KES 28000, new pairs of clothes for my family at KES 5000, and also cleared the school fees for my three primary school kids worth KES 2000. I am grateful for the great transformation in my family that has given me hope for a better future.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am passionate about business, I was once employed as a shopkeeper, where I developed a lot of interest in it. I have always wanted to start one but due to lack of capital, it has not been possible.It is a nice venture that can bring a turn around effect in terms of income for my family. It is against this backdrop that I intend to start the general shop business, now that these transfers is in the offing.I plan to use KES 45000 to start the venture and use the rest of the money to pay school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For some time now maize has not been doing well thanks to the maize lethal necrosis disease, but last year in August we obtain some maize seeds variety that are so resistant to the disease commonly known as DK 777. At the moment we expect a bumper harvest since they have not been affected by the disease. We are so happy that we will have enough maize for consumption.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My mother has been unwell for sometime now. She suffers from a stroke and also diabetic. It is a problem that has persisted for a long. We have used a lot money for her treatment at Tenwek hospital as well as the traditional herbs. We have sold all the cows we had for her treatment but little improvement has been registered. It pains me a lot to see suffer like this.
