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?
On this day when the funds were sent, I had nothing to do. So, I was at home going about my normal routine of doing some house chores. I heard a beep on my phone. Since I can't read, I asked my son to help me out. He was the one who informed me that I had received funds from give directly. This news brightened my day and I also felt empowered. Even though I was unable to start the business I hoped to, I still got to improve my life by paying my children's school fees arrears of KES14000 and I also renovated the roof of my house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The greatest difference I've seen in my life ever since I received these funds from give directly, was having my children study smoothly without being sent home due to school fees arrears. This is because I was able to settle the KES 14000 arrears they had. Using my next transfer, I am also planning to start a cloth selling business so I can improve my finances.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of two children, a boy, and a girl. The Boy is in secondary school while the girl has cerebral palsy and for this reason, two years ago, I enrolled her in a special school. To support them and my husband who is too old, I work as a charcoal manufacturer. When I got the funds from give directly, I had arrears of KES 10000 and KES 3000 for both my son and daughter respectively. I also used the money to renovate the roof of my house. To do so, I needed 28 iron sheets. For the amount that remained, I bought us some food.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children. This I plan to achieve through auctioning. I will spend KES 40000 to start my business and I will be assured of getting a profit of KES 500 per day. I will use the proceeds for school fees, uniforms, stationery, etc. I will further spend KES 20000 to renovate my house.Currently my structure is linking during rainy seasons. The remaining amount will cater to other household expenses like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of October, I sold 6 sacks of charcoal for KES 4000. This brought joy to my life because it was my first time to receive this amount of money from my charcoal business. I used this income to pay school fees for my son who is in secondary school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is health-related. I have been suffering from lower abdominal pain for over 18 years. This problem began after I gave birth to my last born because I had some complications while delivering my baby. Due to lack of money did not seek any medical attention at that time. This resulted in the prolapse of the uterus. I have sorted medication but due to lack of finances, the condition recurs because I do not complete the required dose.
