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 ($429 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My three children and I stay in a tiny one-roomed house. I have to send them out so that I can change my clothes after a bath. My long-term goal is to build a three-roomed house that will be comfortable for all of us
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly visits us in the village, and coming to see what we have done with the money is a plus to the organization. Also, the money sent to us is unconditional, we are not forced on how we should spend it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I started my business just before Covid 19 hit the country, I was selling new clothes at the market near my house. During the pandemic, the business went down, somedays I would not sell a penny. I have three children that depend on me and most nights we would sleep hungry hoping for a better day. I also could not afford to pay school fees for my children and some days they were sent away. Life was tough, I would cry out at night. After a year of struggling, I received GiveDirectly transfer which I spent on my business, I added stock and after a month, the business blossomed. I now get $30 a day which I save for school fees and food without strain.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I learnt around 9:00 am that we had been sent the money. I learnt it from my neighbour who first informed me of th money. The first person that I informed was my husband who equally was very happy about it and gave me liberty to continue with the plans that we had earlier set to accomplish.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the business that I have since boosted. I had a stock of Kes 100000 but I now own a stock of up to KES 150000. The stock increase has led to increase in profit margins and I cannot help but be happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used 30000 to improve my clothes selling business and used another KES 25000 that remained to pay school fees for my two children in various schools. When we heard that money was going to be sent to us we made these plans and purposed to stick by them to ensure that we had maximum gain from it. I am happy that right now my children's school fees is fully paid and my clothes selling business is making bigger profits than before.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a businesswoman, receiving this money will be of great impact on my boutique business. I will spend KES 50000 to add more items into the business. I'm planning on spending KES 13000 on the school fees of my son in a boarding school. I will be delighted to receive money from Give Directly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a business person I was able to purchase a pickup truck for the business hence making it easier to run the business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to covid 19, my boutique business was drastically affected and I lost most of the customers hence low income. Also being a farmer majorly planting maize crops and bulb onions cost of fertilizers and seedlings has been a big challenge hence escalating the cost of living.
