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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am an artist who deals with face and body makeup which is a kind of job that is mostly just available during the weekends. Before GD came, I had a cyber cafe business on the side to keep me busy during the weekdays, but it was doing so poorly due to lack of funds and too much debts, so I had to shut it down for a while. When I received these transfers, I cleared all the debts I had and revived my cyber cafe business by buying the required equipment. With the business now doing so well, I am no longer idle as I spend most of my time during the weekdays working there and taking care of y other hustles during the weekend. Without GD, this business would have been permanently closed down and all I have for GD is nothing but thanks.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I revived my cyber Cafe business which had already collapsed due to unpaid bills and lack funds using GD transfers and I am happy that my daily income is much more than what I could ever imagine. Being the business-minded person that I am, I now have plans of starting a pig rearing project which is also something I have dreamed of for a while with part of my savings. Pig rearing is very profitable as they grow very fast, easy to maintain and have a high market value hence the decision to venture into it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a cyber cafe business which I used all of the most recent transfer I received to boost and maintain. I bought the required materials for the shop such as CDs, printing and photocopy papers then used the rest of the money to clear a pending internet bill for the month.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($367 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I am now stable financially. I used my transfers to pay all the debts I had and invested part of the transfers to increase the stock in my cyber shop. I am now happy since I can get enough money from the business to cater for my basic needs.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is to start a recreational centre where children come and play. I am planning to save the money I will get from the cyber business and use to start this new business. I will be able to get an additional income from this business to meet my personal needs such as paying rent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend my most recent transfer to clear the rent arrears in my cyber shop. This is because I had not paid the shop rent for the past two months and it has accumulated. It was a challenge to pay the rent since the money I got my business was not enough to cater for all my basic needs and pay the landlord. I also used part of the transfer to stock my cyber shop since the initial capital was small and I could get little income from the business.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($196 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I will use the next transfers to Pay off the remaining debts and buy more required equipment for my newly opened cyber cafe'/movie shop. I also plan to buy my mother a gift to thank her for the unwavering support she gave me throughout the tough periods of my wife's sickness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This money has really helped revive my business which was about to collapse due to excess debts. I am almost back on my feet and my business is on the right path because the profits I make are now channelled towards bringing in more stock and taking care of my family's needs as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My girlfriend had developed complications during her pregnancy a few months ago which forced me to spend all my savings and even take loans to pay for her medical bills. This affected my business and I could not pay the rent for my business premises for a couple of months. The landlord wanted to rent out the premise to someone else, so I decided to use the entire amount I received to pay the rent to avoid being sent out.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
That morning, I had left the house without my phone, so I did not see the message until one of the group members came around to ask if I had received the money. I immediately went for my phone to check if I had received my share, and sincerely speaking, that was the best massage I had seen in a while considering the kind of problems I had faced a few months back.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My cyber business is the backbone of all my other existing businesses, I would like to establish that one fully first and then I can focus on my livestock/agriculture business and then I can buy more stock for my entertainment business before I can save what is left
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is accumulated debts because I never have peace to know that I owe somebody money which I have not paid. I am always anxious and not settled until I am able to pay.
What are your greatest ambitions?
In the near future, I hope to be the leading events and entertainment planner in East and Central Africa. This also involves one of my hobbies which is face and body painting coupled up with activities that I enjoy in the entertainment industry such as clown services, bouncing castle services, trampoline services, balloon art/balloon modelling services, acrobatics, dance, magician services, games, puppet show etc
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
In my free time I like to watch action movies and to listen to gospel music. I also enjoy watching tutorials online and to research on materials that can enhance my businesses and to broaden my thinking capacity. I enjoy gaining more knowledge on agriculture and my entertainment business where I get more creative ideas for face painting and any new products available in the market.