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.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is doing well by providing this funds because personally this funds are the reason I was able to get medical treatment and at the moment I even have a shop which Is helping me earn my daily needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been having a cyst on my leg which has been painful since last year.I live alone because I never married and sired any children.The only family I have is my brother who visits once in a while Once I received my transfer I used KES 1300 for the operation and medication .I used KES 1000 and opened a shop that sells snacks just next to my home and the remaining cash of KES 700 was spent on my food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning around 10.30am while I was sitted in my house brushing my teeth.I was sitted because of the excruciating pain caused by the boil on my ankle.I had not had any breakfast and this was one of the days I was hoping my brother or sister would walk in. As I was scrolling through my phone I was happy to see I have received KES 1200 on my Mpesa account. I Immediately gathered strength and limped to the shop where I withdrew the amount and bought food for the whole week as I made my way through to the nearest clinic.I am glad now that the incision was done ,the pain is bearable and the wound is healing successfully.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is with the support program I will be able to open a grocery shop that have always wanted to open and it will be the best thing because with my age its tedious to continue working as a charcoal burner.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single man who lives alone and most of the time I only have my brother and sister visit once on monthly basis.My work entails cutting wood and the tedious charcoal burning job to earn a living.Recently I developed a boil on my ankle which has made it impossible for me to leave the house .My recent transferof KES 500 was spent in buying food for the whole week and the rest KES 700 was used in the hospital because I had to go through a minor surgery.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I run a tiny retail shop that has embarrassing stock. It literally has nothing to be proud about. All I have been dreaming of is to expand and even grow it into a mini mart.
Every month, I intend to add stock and survive on the profit I get.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I took a leap of faith and invested the 1,500KES I had to start a shop four months ago. Although it is not doing well, I feel happy when I see people who are willing to buy from me on a daily basis. Even when I don't have a lot of things, they still come back to me the next day.
That shows that they have faith in my business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
All my 51 years have been lonely ones. I have never married. Always found solace in my late mother's company but when she passed on one year ago, I just cannot figure out how to take care of myself both emotionally and physically. I am not disabled but my legs seem to be having pain that does not go.
Right now, I have no water in the house but I can't fetch. If I had a wife, I'm assuming that she would have taken care of that and even the house chores.
