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
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have regained my value as a father and the main breadwinner for my family after receiving the transfer. I was just idling at home after losing my security job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Precisely, I was stressed since fending for my family was becoming unaffordable. Fortunately, GiveDirectly came to my rescue on time. Currently, I am self-employed and can adequately fend for my family with my 30 USD income from the woodwork that I do.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by allowing us the freedom to choose on how best we can utilize the funds. This serves as the most effective empowerment for each recipient, on matters regarding poverty alleviation. On the other hand, I find nothing that the organization is not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the second transfer (550 USD) on acquiring a wood-working machine. I decided to purchase the machine since there exists a huge market for furniture (that relies mainly on wood) in a nearby shopping center. Luckily, I can operate the machine because I have some experience, though with no normal training.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was still asleep when I heard a beep on my phone, I saw a message from Mpesa that I had received the money. I called my wife to let her know that we had received the cash and she was so delighted.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I want to continue with my milk business which really thrives well here, That way I can leave the small kiosk business to my wife and then we can both advance and make more profits and advance our family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used ksh 22000 to fell trees and split frames for constructing a house. I want to buy a motorbike to help me progress with my milk business which has stalled.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I recently started dairy business whereby I normally walk door to door to collect milk from my neighbours. I intend to expand my territory of collecting milk to cover a whole location and target more than 100 litres a day. To achieve this, I plan to use both of my transfers to purchase a brand new motorbike at a cost of 950USD and top up the balance with my savings as capital to expand my business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spent most of my daytime collecting and distributing milk from my neighbours to the residents of the nearby center. My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I get enough milk from my neighbours. When this happens, my daily customers will have milk for their usage and hence my trust and relationship with them is strengthened.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I used to work in a security firm since 2016. Recently after the outbreak of Covid-19, I was retrenched without pay and since then, together with my colleagues we have been moving in and out of the court for us to get justice and be paid. Now with this tough economic times, providing the basic needs to my family is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
