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?
While relaxing at home, I heard my phone ringing at around 11 am. Since I am illiterate, I requested my grandchild to check for me who was calling only to inform me it was a message tone. He studied the message and informed me that I had received the first transfer of $550 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness for receiving a massive amount of money at my old age of 60s. My happiness grew when I figured out how I was going to change my life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving the transfer, my life was full of frustrations. I had no defined source of income other than making and selling charcoal, which was unreliable. I had two grandchildren I am taking care of who were abandoned by their parents. They needed school fees, food, and clothing. Life was not easy for me. I am now happy because after I received the first transfer, I was able to fix the majority of the hurdles I was passing through. As of now, my grandchildren are happy back to school and they get food at home. This could remain a nightmare if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On the withdrawal day, I bought a mattress for $50 because I had poor and unpleasing bedding which was not worthy to sleep on. Currently, I am very happy because I sleep in a better place. Initially, I used to pile some torn mats put together thus this attracted bedbugs. I also opted to invest in a cow that will in the future produce milk both for sale and for family use. I cannot remember how much I used in buying the cow but I guess it was around $350. For the remaining amount, I paid some school fees for my two grandchildren and bought some food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have been dreaming about being visited by Givedirectly because everyone around believes that if this Angel visits you then your life will never be the same again, and as a matter of fact the God sent people identified our village and they are here with us.
Receiving this money will greatly transform our lives, from dependency on our children to self independence where we can have our family goals and work on them, without asking for much help from them.
We plan to construct a 6 room rental house at petanguo manjewa junction, this will be able to bring profits every month, the remaining amount we plan to buy few dairy cows to support with milk in the mornings and during harsh periods, we sell during market days.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My last born son just got married and is blessed with a son called Videl Amani and this has been my greatest joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have a burden of paying school fees for my grandsons who are in secondary school, they were left by their parents at a tender age and we have always had to cater for their basic needs which is a big burden bearing in mind that I lost my job 14 years ago where I was working as a Night guard in Mombasa.
Life has been very difficult, especially the past drought period, where I also lost like 6 cows which I had invested in, am counting losses and I have to start all over again.
