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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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($455 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
For now, I don't have any new goal as I want to focus on servicing loan that I had borrowed to buy a motorbike. I will definitely come up with a new goal after I am done paying.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I don't think there's anything that GiveDirectly doesn't do well because I have not encountered any. I would like to applaud GiveDirectly the good job that it does by changing lives of thousands. May you continue doing the amazing job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Few months ago, I was employed as a motorcycle rider where I used to earn a commission of KES 300 daily. This money was only enough to feed my family so I couldn't save towards bettering my life. Since I wanted to make big bets in life and give my family the best by being self employed, I bought a motorcycle on credit at KES 185,000 and I was supposed to be paying a monthly installments of KES 5,000. I spend all my second transfer to offset part of the loan and I am hopeful that I will be managing to pay the monthly installment and provide for my family. It would have really taken a longer time for me to pay back and I'm happy I was able to shorten the payment period by eleven months. All this would not have been possible if it was not for cash transfer and I am super grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7am when I received a phone call from a friend notifying me that he had received his transfers. On checking my phone too, I confirmed to have received KES55000 from GiveDirectly and I was very happy and grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is building a kitchen which I couldn't afford before.
In terms of food, I used to struggle to get food but with GiveDirectly I have bought food in bulk which has reduced household expenditure.Through the transfers also, my dream of owning a motorcycle will soon come true because I have saved part of the transfer towards buying it.I normally rely on casual motorcycle work in order to feed my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES20000 on building a kitchen because I only had one house.Initially, I desired to build a kitchen but couldn't afford. I spent KES10000 on furniture, food and clothing. The rest I have saved towards purchase of a motorcycle which will be an income source for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a motorbike rider offering taxi services in my locality to gain some income for sustaining my family. Since I have never afforded to buy a motorcycle(I am contracted by the owner), receipt of this money means that I will be able to purchase one. Currently, most of the income (60%) goes to the owner, hence, I cannot attain my financial targets. The average daily income from the business is about KES 500. So, I will use all the transfers on acquiring a brand new motorbike that costs slightly above KES 100000. In case some amount remains, we shall use it to seek professional medication for my wife who cannot conceive.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A friend of mine contracted me a operate his motorcycle and offer taxi services in my locality. This has attracted lots of joy in my life because I have managed to fend for my young family since I am the primary breadwinner. The motorcycle business serves as the main source of our livelihood because we have no other sources of income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My wife cannot conceive due to some medical complications yet I do not have enough money to seek professional medication. She is currently using herbal drugs that are relatively affordable to us. Unfortunately, she is yet to get cured after using the drugs for approximately five months. We would love to have children, the primary target fruits of our marriage. In brief, this is the biggest challenge we are currently facing.
