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 ($493 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 life is different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I now own a business and I no longer walk around the neighborhood looking for some casual work to do. Due to this, I am able to cater for my family needs on time and plan for their future without having any fear of uncertainties. Also, through the profits from this shop, I have been able to start a small business for my spouse where she sells second hand clothes and as a result, she nowadays supports me in paying some of our bills.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out unconditional cash transfer that one can use in uplifting their lives and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the money I received to build and to open a retail shop in my homestead. After a discussion with my spouse, we settled on starting a shop business since one has to walk for at least 30 mins for him to find the nearest shop which is in the neighboring village. Because of this, we were certain that we would get more customers and the business would enable me to sustain my family for a long time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2pm while in my farm while weeding my maize when I heard a message in my phone. I was very happy and this motivated me to finish my work and headed happily back home and informed my wife who was also excited. After taking lunch is when went to the nearest MoMo agent and withdrew the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because my kids are well fed hence more healthier and happier. Initially ,I would rely on casual tea picking to put food on the table which was unreliable but now I am now relaxed. My dairy cow is also well fed and more healthy due availability of pesticides which was not the case before. Through the GD transfers, my shop daily income has increased from KES 300 to KES 500. I am also glad because my modern permanent house is almost complete because initially I had a tiny semi permanent house.I am also very happy because initially I used to lack income sometimes and would feel frustrated when my kid's would ask for something and I couldn't afford but now I can.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 of my transfer on purchase of additional stock for my shop business because it's my main income source.Initially,I started with a stock of KES 5000 but now my stock has increased hence increased income. I spent KES 15,000 on cementing my house which was under construction when the transfers came. I also spent KES 18,000 on a solar lighting battey and hoofer system to help my kids in provision of lightning for their homework and studies. Initially, I used to have a single solar lighting system which would cater for only one house. I also spent KES 5000 on settlement of house paint debts.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean an improved business. I run a small shop business within the village and I have been aspiring to add more stock and increase my income. Currently, I am getting a profit of approximately Ksh 300 a day which has really helped fend for my family. My intention is to use Ksh 20,000 to buy more stock and I am projecting a profit of not less than Ksh 1,000 which will be a milestone in my family. This will also raise my self esteem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend my morning hours collecting milk for sale in my shop. I use mid morning and the rest of the day working in my small piece land (digging, weeding and fencing) and attending to my customers who come to buy goods from the shop. Having time to relax with my family in the evening after the day's work depicts the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of capital to add more stock to my business has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. We have been relying on our 0.25 acre of land where I have grown maize for domestic use harvesting only one bag which is hardly enough to fend for my family. Getting surplus maize for sale and get some income has been an uphill task. Therefore, getting extra income to increase my business from the land has proved futile. Getting the transfer from Give Directly will be the only hope of getting capital and help improve my family.
