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
53010 KES ($404 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
A family needs collaborative forces to accomplish most tasks. However, this has not been the case for my family of 4 because we have solely been depending on my husband's bodaboda business to earn a living. To shun away this tradition, I hope to complete my tailoring course which I had enrolled in using the transfers and thus open my own business in the next year. I anticipate using $500 as start-up capital hence expanding as days go by. I will be excited to be financially stable, independent and respected.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
If I am to make a request, then it is for Givedirectly to continue working in our community for the second time. However, I appreciate the one-time-off rule of the organization and the impact it has made in my community. For instance, people have been lifted out of poverty since families now have food, houses and assets. I never wish them to change a thing about how they work apart from a revisit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When my water meter was disconnected in January 2023, I had to purchase water from the neighbourhood at $0.1 for a 20-litre jerrican. This was expensive for my family of 4, which depends on my husband's bodaboda business to earn a living. Unfortunately, the cost of living increased and the fuel prices were also affected therefore, the business generates only $4 on a good day. All this caters for household use hence no surplus for water reconnection. I am excited that the transfers came at the right time as I used $50 to reconnect the water, $70 towards food and clothing for the household and an additional $15 to clear school fees for my children in primary school. As an alternative source of income, I enrolled on a tailoring course at Matano Maiine centre which I usually pay $15 a month using the transfers I set aside. Once I graduate, I will gladly assist my husband financially in raising the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($443 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. This was because I had a lot of plans in my mind that I had always wanted to accomplish but which I could not do because of lack of money. I had done a tailoring course midway and had to drop it when I failed to raise enough money to clear the fee. I also needed money to buy a sewing machine in order to start my tailoring work successfully. I went and withdrew the money the following day at a nearby centre where I bought the sewing machine and used some to pay school fees as I saved some for a business that I intend to start as soon as I receive the second transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having paid fully for the tailoring course and having bought a sewing machine has brought a great difference in my life. I am also planning to start a shop keeping business and all these shall make my life and that of my family better. I have for a long time been relying on farming to make ends meet and this has been very disappointing lately die to unfavourable weather conditions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $150 to buy a sewing machine, and another $80 to clear my school fees for a tailoring course that I had taken midway. I saved the remaining amount of $300 in preparation for starting up a business that I had always wanted to start. I feel so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for the timely support that we got and which has propelled me towards realizing some of the goals that have always been closer to me. I know that with all that I will do with this money then my life and the living standards of my family shall rise.
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Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of four members and I always think about how I can make the family live a better letter. As a housewife, I have business ideas but due to lack of money, I fail to execute them. Upon receiving money I will use $1000 as capital to start a shop business at our trading center. The center has only one shop which cannot satisfy the market. I expect to make a profit of approximately $10 per day. With this profit , I will be able to feed my family and have saving for my children so as to have school fees for them once they join secondary school. I appreciate the program.
What is the happiest part of your day?
October 2022 was my children's birthday. The first one was turning 6 years and the second was turning 2 years. Despite the food challenges, I celebrated with my family. I slaughter two chickens for the family. We enjoyed ourselves as a family and reminded me of the days my husband was working with Komaza.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband was working with Komaza and life was good on my side. He was laid off one year ago and came back home. Since then life has changed completely. The family used to take three meals per day but now we take one meal in the evening. My two children are now weak. Sometimes they miss school due to hunger. I used to do the shopping for the family every after six months but now I have to was clothes after two weeks due to lack of washing detergents. My skin has now turned black unlike before. Lack of job is the challenge I am facing in life.
