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
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Our new goal is to fence the whole farm. We want to do so so that we can prevent our neighbors' cows from coming to graze on the farm. Through doing so, our herd of goats will have enough grass to eat. I plan to save up some of the money that I making from my casual job of selling solar lamps so that I can accomplish the goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly staff taught us well in the enrollment stages. We got to understand more about the program and they advised us on how to spend the money. I do not see anything that they need to change because their work is good.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent the second transfer on buying some goats and building a loafing shed for them. We spent KES 30000 on buying the goats and KES 12500 on constructing the shed. We also took out KES 3500 that we used in paying school fees for our children where we managed to clear the term's school fees. We then used the remaining amount in buying food for our consumption. We decided to settle on the idea of buying the goats because they are of great benefit. They multiply faster and they are not easily affected by drought. We can sell the offsprings in the future and use the money in buying a cow. The food that we bought is going to last us for quite sometime. As a result, I have hence managed to save up some of the money that I am making from my casual job of selling solar lamps. I usually depend on the job to get money for buying food for my family of four and paying for the merry-go-round contributions of a self-help group that I am in. I am hence so much grateful to GiveDirectly for the help because life has become better.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 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 going about my daily duty of delivering and connecting solar lights to my customers when I received a message confirming receipt of cash transfer from Give directly. I was so excited and immediately informed my wife about the same who was equally excited and requested me to withdraw the money the following day so that we could start purchasing what we had discussed before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Even though I had a lot to achieve after receiving the first transfer, buying bodaboda has allowed me to achieve much profit compared to when I didn't have. At least I can meet my household needs and save something at the end of the day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After discussion with my wife, we spent Kshs.35,000 to purchase a second-hand bodaboda which will help me go about my delivery of the solar lights. Before I would hire one but it was very expensive and at times would decide to walk even far distance. Buying the bodaboda has enabled me to reach many customers and also improved my profit margin to Kshs.700 per day compared to Kshs.200 which I used to get. With Kshs.6,500 we bought furniture for our house since we didn't have decent seats. Lastly, with the remaining amount, we purchased clothes for our children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I own a business selling and distributing solar panels and electric bulbs, including home deliveries. I usually hire a motorbike to transport them as I do not own one, which is very costly. In a month I spend up to KES 8000, which when I deduct from the much I make I remain with approximately KES 5000 as profit. This is very little to cater to the needs of my family of four. Receiving this money means a boost to my business. I plan to purchase a motorbike meaning I will do away with hiring one hence reducing transport costs. It will cost me approximately KES 50,000. For the rest of the mount, I will purchase cows as an investment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. My day is usually spent on the road doing deliveries for my customers which is very hectic since I ride a motorbike, with bad roads and rains. By evening I'm very tired. I get to rest and share meals with my family. I also get to ask about my children's welfare which makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is a lack of finances. Being the sole provider, the much I get goes to meeting the needs of my family. The business I do is still new, competitive, and costly to run. This is the only source of income in my family. I do not get a chance to save up for other developments.
