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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($469 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to open a workshop for selling timber. Before I got the transfers, I used to help out a sawyer with his work. I developed an interest in sawing and hence I learned how to do the job. Apart from that, we used to make good money from the sawing business. When I got the second transfer, I decided to use it on buying a power saw machine. With having the power saw machine, people usually approach me to buy trees for them. I hence see a business opportunity of buying trees, sawing timber, and selling them. I plan to save up some of the money that I am making from sawing timber on starting the workshop business. My income will increase with the workshop business and hence I will be able to make other developments.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well because they uplifted the lives of many. I was able to purchase a motorcycle on hire purchase and a power saw machine. I hence no longer rely on casual employment to earn a living. The lives of the people in my community changed for the better since they were able to make many developments. Most people used to live in grass-thatched houses but they now live in houses that are roofed with iron sheets. I therefore urge them to continue with the same spirit of helping the needy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer money on buying a power saw machine. I decided to buy the machine because I wanted to start the business of sawing timber. I used to be employed casually to assist a sawyer with his work and with time, I developed an interest in the business and I learned how to do the sawing too. Besides this, one gets a good income from the business. Although I had developed an interest in the sawing business, I was not in a position to start one because I didn't have money to buy the power saw machine. I spent most of the first transfer money building another house. I am hence so much grateful to GiveDirectly because they enabled me to achieve my goal. The business is doing quite well, I plan to save up the money that I am making so that I can start a workshop for selling timber.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 am when I heard my phone ringing, I was riding a motorcycle, therefore, I decided to park the motorbike so that I could read what the message was all about because I didn't have any client on board. when I stopped to check that was when I realized that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly, I was so overwhelmed with joy that I could not proceed to where I was going but instead, I went back home to inform my wife.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am the happiest man on earth because I used my first transfer wisely, I can proudly say that I now have a decent place to call home, in addition to that I own a motorbike which means that I will be having a reliable source of income and my family will no longer go to bed on an empty stomach, I am overwhelmed with joy because the transfer has positively impacted my life, Indeed, this is a lifetime opportunity that has transformed our lives and I am grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a motorcycle taxi rider in the village, the motorbike that I was using before was a rented one, therefore, I had to pay the owner every evening even for the days that I did not work to secure it, this was so strenuous especially on a low season. When the transfer came I used KES 25,000 in building a decent house for my family, I then paid a deposit of KES 20,000 in buying a motorbike which I m hopeful that I will clear the remaining amount with my second transfer
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean a lot to my family because we will be able to finally own a bigger house .My current house is a grass thatched hut and whenever it rains the inside becomes wet, we have to always take our beddings outside. Our dream house will cost us about $400 which includes purchasing the roof, timber and the floor. The remaining $700 I will use to purchase 3 dairy cows, we will sell the milk,generate an income and save on cost used for milk to purchase other basic needs such as food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening after work, I get to relax and bond with my family after a long day of looking for casual jobs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced has been unemployment. Due to COVID I lost my job in the city that earned my household $180 each month. I had to move back to the village and restart my life. I now get casual jobs that only bring in an income of about $2 per day and is not enough to save up for building a better house or purchasing food and milk for my family.