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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to church for mid-service and I had left my phone at home. It was around 6 pm when I returned home and check the phone. I was very happy when I saw the Mpesa message indicating that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I called my husband to inform him about the good and it was such a joyful moment in our lives and promised to travel back home.
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. Currently, I live a happy life seeing my business flourish well. In addition, I used part of the aid to pay the plot installments.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a tailor as well as operate a small household utensil shop where I had rented a shop. I had desired to own my shop and to accomplish it, I had start the payment of a plot of land where I would construct the shops. I spent KES 30,000 to pay part of the plot charges. Also, I used KES 8,000 to boost my business by purchasing more stock. I am currently pleased my business has improved. In addition, I spent some amount to boost my poultry business by constructing a new structure for them. I am also planning to spend the next transfer to purchase more chicken.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a business person in the nearby trading center selling clothes and utensils. I intend to increase my stock to serve all my customers. I had gone for a tailoring course but I did not have the capital to buy a sewing machine, receiving this money means a dream turned into reality. I will open a sewing kiosk and start my tailoring profession. Revenue from these businesses will help me take my two children to private schools for better education. I am delighted to be alive to witness the good deeds of GiveDirectly. With the remaining amount, I will buy a water tank for water storage because I have a tap in the compound.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In my location (Ganze) every village was enrolled in the project of GiveDirectly. We knew we had been left out of the program. Seeing two officers with their motorbikes in my compound gave me joy knowing we can also be enrolled. I am happy today for being interrogated and being enrolled in the project.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Economic constraints are the challenges we are currently facing. The inflation rate in our country has risen making money less valuable. Revenue from my business can not cater to my needs (food and school fees). This has left me with no option but to account for every coin I get into business. I am overwhelmed with emotions when I come back home empty-handed without food for my two children.
