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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Running a motorcycle tazi business of my own is the greatest difference in my daily life. I had been working got there's for far too long. I had been making money for my employer that he would save KES 300 per day. I have decided to be saving the same amount for myself on a daily basis. I see this as a big step as having been saving about KES 9000 per month part from the money that I spent on the household's daily needs. This has made my life so good so my family gets their daily needs and I save for a better future for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well because they treated all the people in the village. They were not discriminating against anyone in any way.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received on buying a motorcycle to start my own business as a taxi operator. I had been working for a long time as a rider for a neighbor but now I have my own. I also bought clothes for the children and part of it went to buying furniture for my household.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Before GD came for enrollment, I was operating a motorcycle business for one of my neighbors. The main challenge was when there was little work and I would end up not getting anything after paying my employer. Also, I always had no time to bond with my children as I would go to work very early when they were asleep and at times came back in the evening when they had retired to bed. Owning a motorcycle has enabled me to have enough time with my children and I am always happy each time I am with them. Owning this business has also increased my daily income and I am hopeful that I will be able to do a lot of developments at my home using this money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized that GiveDirectly had finally sent us the promised money in the morning after waking up. I became so happy after reading the contents of the two messages that confirmed the good news. I then informed my wife and children and they were all happy. This money made me know that I would soon stop working for someone else as I would use it to acquire my own motorcycle.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have been operating the motorcycle business for one of my neighbors and I would give him KES 300 daily after fueling it while the remaining amount was my wages for the day. At times, I would go home empty-handed when the business was down. For the period I had been operating this business, I had been able to save some amount as I always desired to own a motorcycle. My first transfers came in handy as I was able to acquire one after topping up some amount. I am now glad since I now work for myself unlike before. This has allowed me to have enough time to spend with my family and to do some farming. Also, I have been able to save some amount so far that I am planning to use it to buy a dairy cow after saving enough. This will help me reduce my daily expenditure when it reproduces as I will not be buying milk anymore.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been an employed motorcycle taxi rider for the last three years. During this period, I have been saving money with an intention to buy my own motorcycle for the same business. Accordingly, GiveDirectly cash transfer has come at an opportune time. My ambition is to top up my savings with the entire first transfer of 55,000 KES (550 USD) and purchase a brand new motorbike. My esteem will drastically improve thanks to the shift from employee to self employed. I expect that proceeds from this impending business will immensely raise my living standard and boost my asset ownership. For example, I am going to make savings of the 300 KES (3usd) I have been remitting to my employer per day. Within the first month, I would have accumulated a total of 9,000 KES (90usd). My plan is to buy a heifer from these savings and other properties out of savings from succeeding months. This is a huge difference GiveDirectly is making in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening, usually when I come home with food for my family. At most time it is a bundle of meat which is celebrated and considered a privilege for some days as it is not always afforded. These family glory days only happen seldomly when I've had a good day with my motorcycle taxi business. When my family's moods are lifted especially my two children, I am happy and my esteem gets lifted too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Working as an employed motorcycle taxi rider for the last three years has come with its fair share of challenges. For example, the taxi owner expects a mandatory remittance of 300 KES (3usd) per day from me. From the rest of the income I am expected to take care of the taxi's mechanical problems, set aside some amount for petrol as well as my own dues for the day. Over time, there has been an extreme influx of motorcycle taxis in the business thus competition for market(passengers) becomes overly rife. All these challenges coupled up together renders an employee frustrated and at most times go home to their families empty handed. This is the biggest hardship I've faced with my employee status.
