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 ($432 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would like to expand my alcohol business and supply to more pubs which means I need more capital. I plan to save and hopefully in 2023 I would be able to visit the pubs and have an agreement with the management.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It is good that they enroll us on a one-on-one basis, they call me whenever I receive the transfer to confirm if I got the money. The organization also has a toll-free number that I can call whenever I have a question or any concerns.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I supply traditional alcohol to a pub from Friday to Sunday where I get $10. This money helps me buy food for my family. I take care of a big family, four children, my wife, and my mother who recently divorced my father and came to live with me. Life has been hard being the only person providing for the whole family. Most days I get late paying my children's school fees. I spent my recent transfer to install water at my home sted, improved the house floor, and bought a goat for supplying us with milk.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($462 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 at home brushing my teeth while preparing for daily work. I heard my neighbor's celebrating receiving the transfer. I was very interested to know what was the good news that morning when immediately heard the phone ringing. After checking, I realized that it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received the transfer. I felt very happy about the aid since I had never received such a huge amount of money. I changed the plans of the day and went to withdraw the cash because I had already planned how to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Boosting my business is the biggest difference in my daily life. Seeing the business thriving well gives me hope for a better future. Currently, my profit has doubled per day something that I am grateful for. With this income, I am sure that I will be able to change my life for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a businessman running a palm wine bar and a small restaurant. I had desired to boost the businesses but I lacked the capital to invest in them. These businesses are what I depend on raise the family. After receiving the transfer, I spent the entire transfer to boost my business by purchasing more stock. Currently, I am happy that my businesses are running well and the profit has doubled from KES 1500- 3000 per day. I am planning to use the next transfer to connect tap water to my house since are walking for long distances to get water for household consumption.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the last twenty years, I have been working as a security guard in mombasa town to take care of my family. I used to earn KES 6000 a month. However, in the year 2020 during covid 19, my employer reduced my salary to KES 3000 a month. This is too little to sustain a family of four children. I had to come back home to find an alternative to survive. When I came back, there were no jobs in the village and I was forced to depend on my elder son who is in the city. This is because I developed eye sight problem that has made it difficult to engage in economic activities in the village. Upon receiving the cash transfers, I will use KES 75000 to buy two 10,000 litre water tanks that I will store water and sell in the village because it is scarce and this will be a good opportunity to invest in. I will then use the remaining amount to finish building my house that my son built for me. Receiving this money therefore means economic independence to my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six month in October last year, my son who is currently working in the city as a Catholic father was graduating. We had a big celebration and so many people from various parts of the country attended the ceremony. What made me happy is the fact that my son had made a big step in his life and I knew he would be supporting me anytime I need his help. It is the joy of every parent to see their children excel in life and achieve their dreams. We received lots of goodies from his friends and the catholic church which brought happiness in my life. Indeed it was the most happiest moment I have ever had in my entire life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the main challenge that I am facing currently. Last year, my inlaws came and took away my wife back to her paternal home because I had not cleared the dowry. She was the only person who would burn charcoal to feed our family. Her absence has made life more difficult. I have been left borrowing food from the neighborhood especially when my son has not sent some money. I intend to fix this by starting a water project. I will use KES 75000 to install water and purchase two 10000 litre water tanks which I will be supplying water in the whole village. I will use KES 18000 to clear the dowry and bring back my wife. The rest I will use to finish building my house.
