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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to purchase a new sewing machine to hire it out to other tailors. I am looking forward to earning half of the income from the clothes it makes. In addition, I am planning to expand my business of dressmaking by purchasing new linen something that will assure me of more returns.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirecltly did well for offering training before the enrollment. In addition, every household that qualified according to the organization criteria was enrolled without discrimination.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Despite being experience tailor, I have not been able to purchase my own sewing machine. For more than 5 years, I have been hiring one from the neighbors where we share the income with owner equally. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 12,500 of the transfer to a brand new sewing machine for myself and bought variety of linen for KES 10,000. Furthermore, I used larger part of the remaining amount to construct a one-roomed house which is currently the dressmaking shop. Previously, I was using our small living room as shop. I used the remaining amount to pay school fees for the kid who was joining baby class.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was busy in the chicken preparing breakfast for my lovely family. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating loudly. Upon checking, I saw a Mpesa message showing that I had received a sum of KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. This was the best thing that had happened to me that early morning, I was so happy to have received the transfer because I knew that my life would be uplifted amazingly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life today is that I was able to construct a decent house in a short period. All this would not have been possible without the financial aid from GiveDirectly. I am optimistic that with my second transfer, I would be able to realise my dream of buying a sewing machine with which I would be able to start my own business. I am grateful for the support that gave me an opportunity for me to start up a business that I had longed for so long.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a trained tailor and a mother of one, When I received my transfer, I opted to build a decent house that would be used too for my business. Thus, I used KES 44,400 in constructing the house. I knew that this would also act as a business premise which I was unable to build due to financial constraints and finally, I used the remaining amount on clothes and foodstuffs. I am grateful to have accomplished so much in a short time.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting a business. I am a divorced woman with a child. I came back home three years ago after having a misunderstanding with my spouse. When I came back, life became difficult for me since I had no job and my child and I had no one to take care of our basic needs. However, I had to find a way in which I would get an income to help get food. I joined a tailoring course that took six months. I then was employed by a neighbour to make clothes for her and she would pay me commission. The commission was very little ( KES 200 a day) and could not meet all my needs. However, because it was the only thing I could do, I had nothing else but to do it. Unfortunately, the business failed because there were few customers and the business owner fired me. Life became very difficult on my end. It is sad to see my child crying for food that I cannot provide. I am now left on borrowing from neighbours. My ambition is to buy a new sewing machine that will cost KES 14000. I will them buy materials that I will make school uniform and supply in the local primary schools in my village.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month one of my neighbours was building a new house. He needed someone to fetch water for the workers. Fortunately I was given the job of sourcing water from the tap about 500 metres away from the constitution site. What made me happy is the fact that I earned KES 5000 in a week that helped me have food and other basics needs close to three months. I also purchased five iron sheets which helped in finishing my small single room house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a source of income is the main challenge that I am facing at the moment. I have a family of one child that needs to eat and access basic education. However, due to financial challenges, my child stays home alone and sometimes cry when he sees his friends going to school in the morning. It breaks my heart to see him cry and having nothing to do about it. I depend on fetching water for other people especially in building sites which is not reliable and pays very little. In a week I can earn at most KES 800. This money is not enough to meet the basic needs. My desire is to be self employed where I will be making my own money. I intend to use the cash transfers to buy a sewing machine which will help me earn an income from repairing other peoples clothes in the village. This way, my child will be able to join school and fulfill his dreams.
