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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has greatly improved lives and the financial aid they give is a true testament to this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being separated from my husband and living with my mum has been a major challenge, as I also have to take care of my one child with the minimal income I get from the small business I do of selling food stuff to customers. Receiving the KES 3000 really boosted me as I was able to buy school uniform, shoes and books at KES 2500 for my child who is joining class one this term. The remaining balance of KES 500, I saved in my local chama account as I intend to buy a tailoring machine and self employ myself to increase my daily income enabling me support my family fully.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a stay home mum so that day I was home per usual when I received the notification that I had finally got the money. I was genuinely ecstatic because I have no job and this would not only help me start a small business but also enable me to chip in with matters concerning finances back home and not leave everything to my husband which could be overwhelming.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After investing some of the funds in the business I started, I managed to sell all the items I had and in turn to receive back the money I had invested and also some profit which I used to help provide for the basic needs for my family especially food and school. Through this funds I will manage to purchase my own sewing machine and practise being a tailor as I have always wanted because I have had to put in on hold for the longest time due to lack of finances.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On most occasion when I happen to get money I involve myself in small businesses and so this time it was not any different. After receiving the funds from GiveDirectly I withdrew a part of the transfer and took KES 1,000 and bought utensils and cutlery that included mugs and bowls. This items were easy to sell and it meant I could make some little profit and provide for the needs of my children. I was left with KES 2,000 which I put away in my savings account because I planned on buying a tailoring machine. This is because I was lucky enough to learn tailoring but then again after college I did not get the chance to do it as a profession because I had no money to purchase my own machine. That is why I intend on saving a portion of the funds I receive each time, so that I can manage to afford the sewing machine and material and have a sustainable business.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a professional tailoring who have not yet had an opportunity to practice. I acquired the skills through technical institute training I got after finishing my primary level of education. When I receive this money, I will first save it up to be able to set up a basic tailoring shop here in the village. We separated with my husband five years ago after getting one child. I kept the child but my husband isn't interested in helping me raise our son. I have been hawking coconut fruits in the village to get money to provide for him. This business is lucrative earning me up to 120% profit. But it comes with a burden of having to get the fruits ten kilometres away and still hawking around to make sales. When I start tailoring business I will not only put my learnt skills to use but also rest from that.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have always struggled a lot to see my son through school single handedly. I pay all his school fees from the savings I make on my business and occasionally my mother also chips in. Recently, I was very happy to receive 1500 KES from my ex-husband towards his education. It wasn't much, but this is a good gesture he might decide to keep up.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Right now I depend on selling coconut fruits to provide for myself and my son. I do this by buying fruits from Kaloleni, about ten kilometres from home then hawking everywhere in the village. It pays me a lot, but the distances I have to cover on foot everyday is killing me. This makes it even hard to enjoy anything I'm able to make from it.
