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 ($548 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used to feel fractured seeing my daughter stay at home for over one year without employment having completed a tailoring course. Today I have a different feeling. I am happy after starting a tailoring business for her. I feel at peace as a parent since she is doing what she enjoys. We had lost hope of ever seeing her chase her dream but GiveDirectly changed our story. I have also expanded my small retail business. For the last few months, the number of customers has doubled up which has resulted in an increase in my profits. I can proudly say that I am able to pay school fees for my children and provide basic needs with ease. I am glad that nowadays I can contribute towards our family needs with ease and help my husband how's income is low.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I appreciate GiveDirectly for taking its time to visit my community and evaluate our level of poverty. Secondly , factoring the idea of giving money to the poor and choose how to spent it made it clear that GiveDirectly acknowledged that in life people live with different struggles which can be solved if one is given the opportunity to do so . That,s the reason why beneficiaries built new houses, started business and paid school fees for their children. I do not see what GiveDirectly did wrong at its work .
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to start a small business of hawking half cakes . I am happy that I can provide basic needs to my family without much struggle . I bought a mattress, water tank and built a small kitchen that I do cook in . I also paid school fees for my three children who are in primary and nursery school respectively.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having a dairy cow and the goats are the most valuable assets I can proudly mention. I believe that I will achieve most of my goals from the sale of milk from the dairy cow. Not only will I have a healthy family but also increase my income with this dairy project. With the goats, I plan to sell the offspring since they reproduce faster. The money will help me pay school fees for my children. One of my kids who had dropped out of school to a huge school fee balance will now be able to resume her studies. As time goes by, I will have accumulated enough money to start another business. This will ensure I am financially secure. From that point, I believe my life will now be the same again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember the day as if it was yesterday. It was around 5 am when I received a message notification. I decided to ask my sister-in-law to check who had sent the message since I am illiterate. After checking she told me it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy because I could finally achieve my goals. The news seems like a miracle to date. Such instances are unheard of in life. May they continue helping poor people like me in other areas.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Since I have always desired to keep livestock in my compound, I spent a larger portion of my transfer to buy a dairy cow at KES 18000 and some goats at KES 25000. I then bought some syrup, tabs, and vitamins to boost their immune. I also used the transfers to clear school fees for my children so that they can study comfortably without any being distracted by being sent home. Since I'm illiterate my desire is to see my children getting better to education so that they live a better life than the life I am living currently. In addition to that, I hired my friend's pair of oxen to plough my farm. I used to get poor harvests because it was not easy for me to complete the acre by myself. I use the remaining amount of money to buy enough foodstuffs for my family. I feel good because we are now able to take three meals a day.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For over 5 years now, I have been engaging in charcoal burning business. Though it has its shortcomings, it is something that I've become fond of and therefore, I intend to do it big once I receive my transfers. It has a good market in Mombasa, and my desire is to open a shop where I will be storing and selling to the customers whom I already identify with. Doing it in large scale will attract a bigger profit margin. I will no longer have to toil and sweat in the field but instead, my work will only be to purchase the ready charcoal and distribute them to consumers in town. And that is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because, I enjoy spending time with the family, and it is at this moment when am mostly at home. Being a charcoal burner and a housewife, I spend a lot of time out there fending for the family and it is only in the evening when a get quality time to rest and catch up with them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Back then I had a grocery store within the village and it used to generate a reasonable income. Hell broke loose when people started taking commodities on credit. This destabilized the business and within no time, I closed it down. It marked the beginning of financial difficulties. As a result, I couldn't meet the needs of the family and even paying school fee was a problem. This was the biggest hardship in my life - I resorted to charcoal burning business, a venture which is so laborious and male-dominated. However, I defied the odds and this is where I've been earning an income, though, paltry, but it keeps me going. I was elated when I received the news and success stories of people who have already benefited from the program. It is indeed a sigh of relief and I intend to use my transfers in advancing the business and also in the improvement of our house.
