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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I care for my child at home, a strong desire to pursue entrepreneurship comes within me. I envision creating a successful business focused on selling second-hand clothing. Through strategic savings cultivated from my merry-go-round contributions, I am determined to turn this dream into reality. This venture captivates me due to its accessibility and the continuously growing demand for sustainable fashion options.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On Friday, the 16th, at around 9:00 am, while my phone was charging, I received a pleasant notification about my monthly transfer from GiveDirectly. Excitedly, I shared the news with my husband and proceeded to withdraw the transfer. After withdrawing it, I set aside $10 for our monthly savings group, which supports our efforts to improve our lives. Since we have one child who is currently in school, I spent $10 on buying her a new uniform because her old one was worn out. With $14 left, I purchased some healthy food items to improve our diet and lead a healthier lifestyle.
17th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a dream to begin a small boutique. I am saving $30 monthly in a savings group to achieve this. My husband is our primary breadwinner, He burns charcoal and sell firewood to make ends meet. I have not been able to contribute much to this but starting that business will open me to the getting income and getting more opportunities to be sought out for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We started an informal savings group after receiving transfers from Givedirectly. I have personally been making a monthly contribution of $30. I pay $30 to the group to allow me achieve a good amount to take care of my family. In these months, I too used this transfers to buy food for my family at $4. I have used this cash transfers in this way.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With the anticipation of receiving my savings from the merry-go-round, I'm bubbling over with excitement to launch my own business. Picture this: a clothing store that caters to both genders, where style meets affordability. This new venture has my heart racing, not just because of the potential profits, but because it's a chance to chase my passion. As a devoted mother of two, I'm determined to create a brighter future for my family, and this business is my ticket to success. With a background in farming, I'm ready to embark on this thrilling new chapter that will let me explore my love for fashion and entrepreneurship. The possibilities are endless, and I can't wait to leave my mark on the world, one fashionable piece at a time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, I am actively participating in a merry-go-round arrangement. This delightful tradition commenced in May of last year when we began receiving transfers. Within our merry-go-round group consisting of thirty six individuals, we graciously distribute the received funds among ourselves. As part of this cycle, I decided to contribute $30 towards the merry-go-round, setting aside the remaining amount for food. With the remaining $4, I happily invested in purchasing food to fulfill the immediate needs of myself and my family. Engaging in this merry-go-round brings a sense of unity and shared prosperity, making it an enriching experience for all involved.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Because the charcoal burning business is strenuous, I have been looking for an alternative source of income. With the security of a monthly transfer, I have a goal of starting a business dealing with the sale of second-hand clothes. Every month, I have set a goal of saving $20. As a result, I will have sufficient capital by the end of the year to venture into that business. I will be able to support my family and my husband's land purchase plan with the proceeds from the business. The current parcel in which we are living is not ours, and we are afraid that the owners may send us away even though we have lived here for a while.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I burn charcoal to raise funds for my four-member family, which includes my husband, two children, and myself. Despite my his struggles with casual jobs, my husband's income remains insignificant because casual jobs are scarce in the village. With my recent transfers, I chose to spend $14 on food. Even though I had some food in the house, it was insufficient to last us a day. In addition, I saved $20 in a merry-go-round saving scheme, hoping to spend it on family projects and clothes selliing ventures when my turn comes. It will pose a noticeable difference in my family's living conditions.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I come from the western part of Kenya but married in the village of Kanyalani. I recently got a baby and drought has affected majorly this place. My husband is currently unemployed and with two children. I cannot look for a job. When I got enrolled in the support program, I joined a savings group to save part of my transfers, but as the year ends, drought and hunger affected the whole village and the savings plan had to be stopped. All our transfers were used to buy water and food. People would walk for over four hours in search of water. As soon as I received my cash transfer, $10 was spent on water and the rest $20 on food because my husband was unemployed and working as a charcoal burner.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since earlier on, after I began receiving the transfers, I started a routine where I ensured to save a small amount from the transfers because I was hopeful that eventually I could have enough finances to open a business where I planned on selling second hand clothes. That is why as soon as the funds came in this time round I took KES 1,000 and left it my savings account. I then went on to use the remaining balance of KES 2,000 and bought a bag of maize flour that contained twelve packets because we barely had any food in my home and at times we would go hungry for days, which was a situation I was trying to avoid.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly has done well by giving us the monthly funds which are helping us to meet our daily needs.In addition the provision of phone has really made it easier to communicate within ourselves.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer of KES 1200 for food and saved KES 1000 through a sacco I joined recently after being enrolled in the program. I remained with KES 800 which am using for my daily expenditure because I currently have a 2 month old baby and my husband is unemployed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I recieved the transfers from GiveDirectly. It went a long way in assisting me to buy food. As a matter of fact, when I recieved the transfer, we didn't have any food and wondered what we'd eat. However, with the transfer, I was able to buy food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference was when I recieved the transfer, I then had food. We did not have any food at that time, so I used the money to purchase some food. Hadn't I recieved the transfer, we'd probably not have had food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
KES 800 from my first transfer was spend on food. My husband is not part of GiveDirectly's program; which means, I have to chip in on the financial expenses such as food as he caters for the rest. I then used KES 400 on household items such as soap.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Life has been tough in the village because as a family we lack a reliable source of income. We rely on my husband's charcoal burning occupation which is no longer sustainable. I am planning to start a second-hand clothes selling business in the nearby trading center using the GiveDirectly transfers so as to support my husband in raising our children. This business will require a capital of 40,000KES. I will be buying second-hand clothes from the nearest city where a bale of second-hand clothes goes for 17,000KES meaning I can start with 2 bales. From experience, one bale will give me a profit of approximately 10,000KES in a month. This will be a big boost to my family because with a profit of 10,000KES per bale, I am sure my family will not go a day without food and my children will be guaranteed of quality education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been struggling to put a meal on the table for my family. However, two months ago, we got some relief food from the county government. I managed to get 30Kgs of maize and this brought joy to my life because on that day I had nothing to feed my family with.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the greatest challenge I'm facing currently. I have been relying on subsistence farming to feed my family. However, the current drought has made me fail to harvest anything over the past three seasons. We are now forced to buy food from the shop and with our current financial situation, affording three meals a day is impossible. Sometimes, we retire to bed without eating anything.
