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.
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to complete building a house in Saika estate, Njiru ward, where I own a piece of land. I hope to no longer pay rent which takes up a large amount out of my monthly income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have some extra money to supplement my income. I can now save money and even complete the projects that have been pending in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfers to pay my rent and to begin building a house in Saika estate, Njiru ward. I had bought a piece of land in Saika estate with my group as one of our projects. I have been trying to save enough money to develop this piece of land and build a home for my family where I won't pay rent anymore. I have begun saving my transfers so I can build a house in the piece of land. I am a motorbike rider around Mathare and the environs. What I earn has been enough to sustain my household only. I am grateful for the transfers that I can finally build my own house whereby I will no longer be paying rent.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I had just woken up in the morning and the first thing I did was to check my phone. I saw the message from Give Directly and I was very happy. I was very excited to know that the transfers were real and that I would receive my monthly transfers for two years. I then took time to think and plan of how I would utilize the money.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I will spend my transfers to invest in a new business in the transport sector. I plan to buy a tuktuk for transportation services. There are no tuktuks around in mathare, I feel this will be a good business with high demand. I will also spend my transfers on livestock. I plan to purchase cows for milk production or beef, that can be reared back in my rural home. Finally, I will spend my transfers to pay school fees for my children.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is getting sick, because I will be unable to perform my activities. I have a family to provide for and I am self-employed, if I become sick it means I will not be able to get an income for the days that I am unwell. My other concern is premature death and not being able to achieve my ambitions. Dying prematurely will deny me the chance to improve my life and my family's life. My third concern is going to jail. If I go to jail, my life will stagnate and I will not be able to achieve much or live my dreams.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to own my own home both here in Nairobi and in my rural home. I hope to buy my own spacious home where I won't have to pay rent.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I usually wake up at 5:30am and get ready for my 'bodaboda' job. I then wait at my usual spot for clients until about 11:00am. I then take a break for 2 hours and resume work again at 2:00pm until around 9:00pm when I close my job. I then head to the house to freshen up and have supper. In my free time, I enjoy browsing online for news and listening to reggae music. I also enjoy watching movies
