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
55000 KES ($436 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am currently working as a butcher who is paid based on commission. Life is really difficult because the prices of all commodities are so high and affording to live a good and decent life is becoming so impossible. I am planning to really save enough so that I can easily open my own shop where I will be buying shoes in bulk and selling it at wholesale price in order to attract a lot of customers. As at now, I have no wife and any child to take care of so it will be so easy for me to work tirelessly and make sure I save enough.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
One thing that has made it possible for me to be where I am now is the unconditional transfers from GiveDirectly that we got. With both transfers, I was able to buy cows and land, which has given me the pride I had previously lacked.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had always desired to have my piece of land where I would easily start farming. The moment I received my second transfers, I spent all of my $550 and added some of my savings to go buy 2.2 hectares of land. I was really happy to have acquired that piece of land and it made me feel proud of everything I have done. The land I had I built my house on it and the space was not enough for farming so I got it and I am planning to start farming when I get enough money.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was happy when I received a message that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer. It came in just when I was expecting it. I had set all the plans and was ready to execute them as soon as I received support from GiveDirectly. I was in the usual casual labor I had been doing in the nearby town and had to complete the work and later withdrew when I was making my first purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved savings through the informal savings group with my friends. After obtaining a pool table, I have increased the weekly savings with at least KES 500 from the new business. I am glad that I was part of this support and looking forward to doing more with the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all of my first transfer on a small business that I started after adding up to the savings that I had. For a long time, I had been working as a butcher in the nearby shopping center. Since the business is not mine, my earnings have been inconsistent since I am always paid per the number of sales I make. When I received the first transfer, I purchased a pool table at KES 90000 that is currently operational. I am glad that the daily earnings have been consistent and have settled all the bills, including the rent, using the same income. At the moment, I am still living alone and hoping to improve the savings that will be useful in raising my future family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I desire to start poultry farming to boost my income, I work as a butchery attendant and I earn KES 4000 per month. This is not enough to cater to all my needs, especially with the high cost of living I have not been able to actualize my wish. When I receive money from Give Directly I am planning to build a poultry house for KES 10,000 because I have a few materials I had bought earlier, also I will spend KES 30,000 to buy 40 chickens and poultry feeds. I will be delighted to see my dream come true. This will boost my income when I will start selling eggs and chickens to hotels around where I live.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I heard that Give Directly was coming to our village, I was so happy about it because we knew our turn was finally here with us. We thank God for Give Directly and we look forward to bettering our lives.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of adequate resources to start up a business and be financially independent has been my biggest challenge. I have wished to own a butchery for a long time, been working in someone's butchery as a sales agent. I feel when I own mine it will allow me to grow as a business-oriented person and be independent financially.
