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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, I now have a stable source of income. I can save some money and buy food regularly. Previously, I used to do painting jobs. I could rarely get a contract hence making it difficult to sustain my family. Those were the tough days since I was always forced to get loans from mobile banking platforms. Having this business has been life-changing because I rarely take loans. I usually save instead. I see myself growing and becoming more stable because of this financial help.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to create jobs for youths. I want to expand my business and open other branches. I would not want to overwork myself but instead, employ people who will also benefit by earning a living out of it. I am determined to reach this goal because I feel good that when I help someone improve their life, the community would be a better place just like you have helped us improve our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been running a juice business but I was not able to preserve it. At times the juice would ferment making it taste bad. I have gone at a loss on many occasions due to lack of a dispenser. When I got my third transfer, I deposited some portion of the amount to the dealer who is going to deliver the dispenser by next week. This business means a lot to me. I started it using the previous transfer and I am planning to expand it. Before then, I was a painter and the work was seasonal. Besides that, I did shopping at my house. I have saved the rest of the money in order to expand my business. I really appreciate the financial support because my living standards have improved already.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
37152 KES ($360 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that getting an income as been easy after starting a business with the first transfer. I had been struggling as a painter. I could even get a deal once a week and end up staying idle for even two weeks without getting another casual job to do. With the new business in place, I am assured of at least 300 KES everyday which had really helped me to carter to my needs without taking a lot of loans from friends.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have a new goal at the moment. I want to maintain my current business. I started selling sugarcane juice. My aim to buy a dispenser to make the juice cold so as to attract more customers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase two cows. I want to sell them later at a higher price mid next year. I am aiming at buying a dispenser machine for the sugarcane juice business to maximize on the profits that I will be getting. I also did Shopping and used the remaining amount on repairing my door.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($194 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to open a new business. I want to start a juice selling business. I am certain of getting profits when I do this business because it is what I have desired for a very long time. I also want to give back to the community and therefore I would love to create employment for the unemployed youths when the business will be up and running.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being able to buy equipment that I will be soon using to open my business. Having
the sugar cane crusher equipment already is a motivation because I know that I will soon be running my business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my transfer on purchasing a manual sugar cane crusher. I want to to start selling sugar cane juice and fruits as well. From my research that I have done for three weeks, most of the people have not ventured into this business. From the place that I picked this idea, it is always flocked with customers because they like fresh and natural drinks. Right now I am a painter, a job which is normally unreliable because I am not attached to any company. Having my own business will guarantee me a daily income and this is why I am determined to have the business up and running.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy. It was around 1:00 am that I saw a message flipping on my phone as I was still chatting. Due to curiosity, I decided to read it. I was very happy when I realized that the transfer had just been sent to me. Out of joy, I awoke my wife who was sleeping and shared the good news with her. From then on, I received various calls from my friends who are beneficiaries just to confirm our doubts. We then sat down with my wife later and decided to use the money after two weeks to buy business equipment.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to open a boutique shop in Kisumu county. In Kisumu there are not many boutiques as compared to Nairobi where there is high competition. I will be able to buy second hand clothes at Gikomba market and sell them in upcountry. I will target youths because they are trendy and I therefore, expect to make alot of profit in return.
Secondly, I will buy a second hand motorcycle and use it as transportation of people and goods. From my research I have discovered that this is a major source of income for many youths. I will therefore be able to supplement my income.
Thirdly, I will invest in livestock. I will buy a young bull as an asset and expect to sell it later in the event of an emergency.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment, because I will be unable to sustain my daily upkeep.
I may be unable to pay rent or provide food for my family. This can lead to being thrown out of my house by the landlord and be forced to go upcountry.
My family may end up breaking because I am unable to provide for them.
I may result to engage in criminal activities to make ends meet. Due to involvement in criminal activities, I may be arrested and face a possible jail term.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to become a successful businessman in future. I would like to open a big boutique shop in Kisumu county, where I will be able to sell my products in bulk. I will to provide my family with a good life and give my children quality education. I would not want them to go through what I have experienced in life. I had alot of challenges when I grew up. My parents passed on while I was young. I was brought up by different people and this led to me dropping out of school in form two. I would not like my children to go through that experience. I would want them to become successful in life without much struggle.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day when I have work, I normally wake up at 6:00am. I take bath and then I leave for work. I arrive at my workplace at 7:50am and embark on my days work until 5:00pm in the evening when I return back home. I relax with my family and then I have supper and retire to bed. When I am not at work, I normally wake up at 7:00am. I help my wife to prepare breakfast for my family as she attends to other house chores.
In my free time, I like to stay indoors with my children or hang out with my friends in the neighborhood.
