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
55000 KES ($436 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?
I'm glad that the transfers enabled me to finally start a business so I intend on making sure that my business keeps running since the money I make has been a great help. I also plan on paying tuition fee for five of my kids who are still pursuing an education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I'm honestly quite grateful that I got the chance to participate in this program and I would love to express my gratitude, because this funds enabled me to have some stability and ways of sustainability especially by allowing me to finally run a business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time I was receiving the transaction my daughter who happens to be in high school had a debt in tuition. Therefore immediately I got the chance to withdraw the transfers I proceeded to pay her school fees worth KES 25,000. Thereafter I proceeded to spend KES 10,000 in opening up a business where I became the owner to a butchery. Since the roof to my house was not completed I decided to spend KES 8,000 to buy a couple of iron sheets and finally complete my house. Lastly I decided to spend the remaining balance on nourishment.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While just sitting at home at around 7 am, I received a message on my phone. I did not bother to check immediately because I was pensively figuring out how I would pay school fees for my children who had been sent home because of fees. After a while, I took my phone, and upon checking the received message, I was surprised to see a huge amount of money had been sent to me from GiveDirectly. My heart melted in happiness knowing that my children would go back to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The main difference that I can testify of GiveDirectly is that, through the transfer, I was able to take my children back to school by paying the required fees the schools needed. Again, my butchery business was not stable due to poor capital to sustain it but as of now, my business is stable after restocking it. This could not be possible if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was to settle the school fee issue which was a priority. I paid KES 20000.00 for my secondary school child and KES 2000.00 for my four primary school children. Thereafter I used KES 24000.00 to construct a roof for my house which I had already started and only the roof was remaining. Since I have a butchery where I buy livestock and slaughter them for sale, I used the remaining amount to add stock to my business by buying more livestock.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Poverty is the worst thing a person cannot dream of in life. Living a destitute life made me separate with my wife and was remarried to someone else living me with 5 children to care alone. I have tried all means in life ranging from being employed as a casual labourer in a quarry, being a shaphered and later on decided to open a local butchers in my local town. This butcher business has been doing well. I rely on it feeding and meeting all the needs of my family. I started the butcher business with a capital of KES 6,000 and is making a profit of KES 800 in aday. If I could expand this business, it will generate a good profit but I had no capital to expand it because the profit accrued is utilized in my daily household expenditures. Receiving this transfers will mark the expansion of my business.. I will build a small house for my butcher business and will be buying 10 goats for my business. I will be making a profit of KES 4,000 in a week of which I will have some savings from it for my future development.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I started my business with a capital which was a relief funds for covid 19 from world food program in November last year.I thought of buying food for my family with the money (KES 3,00 per month) but later decided to utilize it in business. I started this butcher business and has been feeding my family for all those months despite having a small profit. What brought joy and happiness is that I utilized the funds well and I am boasting of having a butcher business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Operating a butcher business with a small capital is like living from hand to mouth. I am running a business but I dont see any development because the profit accrued from the business cannot sustain the needs of my house and therefore I see myself struggling despite that I have potential customers for the business. Therefore luck of enough capital is the greatest challenge I am currently facing in life.
