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?
I was in my kiosk with my two children, waiting for a customer, when I heard the notification sound on my phone. Curious, I checked it, and to my surprise, I saw I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I quickly shared the good news with my friend, who had also received her transfer. My first thought was to improve my kiosk by adding more stock. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For three years, my shop had been struggling due to low stock. I started with very little inventory, and while we relied on the shop for daily needs, we sometimes had to deal with unpaid debts from customers. Our customers often missed out on items they needed. Even though we weren't doing too badly with daily sales of up to $50, I knew things could be better. After receiving support from GiveDirectly, I was able to add more items to my shop, and now my business is thriving. My daily sales have increased from $50 to $80, and for that, I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a businesswoman with a small kiosk, and my husband manages our crop farming. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, my kiosk was struggling due to low stock. I had started the business three years ago with a small inventory, but it had not grown quickly because we often relied on it for daily needs and dealt with unpaid debts. With the transfer, I used $100 to restock my shop with items like sugar, cereals, milk, and other essentials. Now, my customers can find almost everything they need, and my sales have increased from $50 to $80 a day, which has helped us cover other expenses like paying school fees for our son in boarding school. I also bought household items, including a table for $35, as the one we had was too small. Additionally, I bought clothes for my family of four worth $50, so we could all look presentable and celebrate the joy of the cash transfer. To keep our clothes organized, I purchased a suitcase for $15. Thank you, GiveDirectly!
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
With our family of four relying solely on our retail shop business for a living, profits are crucial. Unfortunately, recently our profits have been lower compared to previous years, where we could sometimes make up to $50 in a good month. The main issue has been keeping enough stock on the shelves to meet demand. We have been eager to expand the business, but financial constraints have held us back. I am relieved and hopeful because I am anticipating some transfers from GiveDirectly. I plan to spend $500 into expanding our business, which I believe will lead to increased profits. Additionally, I intend to spend $300 towards cultivating vegetables on our 1-acre piece of land. This dual investment strategy will not only provide an extra source of income for our family but also ensure we have food on the table. I am grateful for the opportunity to improve our financial situation and provide better stability for our family's future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Running the small retail shop business with my husband Kennedy to support our family often means relying on its profits. The ups and downs in profits can vary, especially due to stock availability and market prices. This past April, I was particularly thrilled when we achieved a profit of $35—the highest since January. It was a moment of relief and gratitude because it meant we could comfortably provide food for our family that month. These moments remind us of the importance of each sale and how it directly impacts our daily lives.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Running our family's retail shop has been incredibly tough lately. With four of us depending on it for our livelihood, the pressure to keep enough inventory stocked is overwhelming. On good months, scraping together a $50 profit feels like a small victory. We use that money for basic needs like food and my son's preprimary school fees, with the rest going right back into the business.But recently, our sales have been disappointingly low because we have not been able to afford enough stock. It is a constant struggle, balancing our limited finances between daily needs and investing in inventory. There is a sinking feeling when we see empty shelves that could be filled if only we had the resources.
