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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ever since I contracted the disease I have, my life changed completely. I have boiled in some parts of my body. The boils have made me very weak and I cannot stand for long. If I do I feel dizzy and sometimes I do collapse. I have been to any hospitals but I have not been lucky to get a diagnosis of the disease and also proper treatment. This has left my husband be the sole breadwinner of the family. My husband too does not have a permanent job and depends mostly on casual jobs which have low pay. The pay is not enough to support the family and also my medical attention. In my current situation, I depend mostly on over-the-counter drugs to manage my situation. When I received my transfer, I spent KSH 2750 buying some packets of maize flour, sugar, and tea leaves. In addition, I spent the remaining KSH 250 to buy a chicken. In my second transfer, I spent KSH 2000 buying food for my family and spent the remaining KSH 1000 to pay school fees for my children. When I received my second transfer, my health situation had worsened, and spent KSH 500 to buy some medicine. I also spent KSH 1000 buying some new uniforms for my children to replace the worn out. In addition, I spent KSH 1000 buying some maize to be used in cooking Ugali. I also saved the remaining KSH 500 for any emergency.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is doing a great job because through the funds I received I managed to keep my children in school and also take care of my health which would have more worse had I not the money that enabled me to visit the hospital. Therefore I am very grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
First thing I thought of after receiving the money is I went ahead and bought new school uniform for my children since the ones they had were old, torn and in taters where it cost me around KES 1,000. As of late I have been experiencing health issues for months now which even made me stop getting involved in my charcoal business, so after I received the money I went ahead to receive medical attention from the nearest private hospital which made me cough up KES 700 just for the medicine. Then since I had a pending balance at the school I tool KES 500 which I split between my children who are three and my grandchild since he was not attending class at the time and the mother had no money so I assisted them. I also bought some food since we had none in the house where I bought three packets of maize flour for KES 300 and two kilograms of sugar for around KES 150. What was remaining I used it to but body lotion and bread which was about KES 100 altogether.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received this money I was just seated at home with my phone switched off the day before but was taken to charge in the nearest shop. My children came to me and told me I had gotten a message from Give directly. I was so happy and I continue to pray to God to bless the work of your hands.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in our daily life is that things have gotten better I did not have money for the school uniform I took as a loan. I did this so my child could go to school looking decent and smart. I used the money to pay school fees for the children to better their future and I also went and bought some medicine where I did not feel well the previous days.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family undergoing a crisis of food shortage I promised myself that that would be the first thing I did to rebuild our family. When I received this money I quickly went to buy a sack of maize that coated KES.2000. I also planned on paying back a KES.400. I was also able to pay school fees worth KES.500 and finally, as I was not feeling well I decided to buy some medicines worth KES.100. Thanks to this program we are no longer hungry all day and all night.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am old, sick and a mother of 11 children, 3 of whom are still in school. A cancerous sore in my head has left us without any savings. My husband has had to abandon his job-seeking efforts in a distant place to remain close. Our food reserves are depleted and the drought has made the land barren. With the transfers from GiveDirectly, we will restock our food reserves for our large family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the many hospitals I have visited, the doctors have described my condition as “mysterious”. From the spiritual cleansing services, I am told that the sore on my head has been caused by some dark and evil powers. Whenever I pray, I am happiest knowing the God I serve will frustrate the efforts of my enemies.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Back in 2014, I developed a cancerous sore. Over time, my condition worsened as I could not afford proper medical care. My head is now deformed and I am unable to attend to simples chores that other women easily do. I can neither fetch water nor cook food as drawing close to the fire makes my head bleed. My husband is my only caregiver. It hurts me to see him do all the chores knowing very well that makes him the talk of the village.
