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
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My short-term goal is to revive my business and add more stock by March 2023. My husband owns land that is nearby the road and I would like to build rental houses that I can get $150 a month a unit.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I get excited whenever GiveDirectly staff visit me at my home. I enjoy showing them my compound and answering their question. The staff is friendly and kind.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the transfer, I had a business selling second-hand clothes. In day I would make $15 a day, I have rented a space at the market. Unfortunately, my husband got sick and most of my profits were going to medical expenses. I closed down my business to focus on my husband's recovery. We lived in a one-roomed house with my three children. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to expand my house to a two-roomed house that is comfortable for all of us, bought two cows that I eventually plan to use for farming, and paid school fees for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember very well at exactly 8 PM when I was helping my kids do their school assignments when I realized that there was a new message on my phone. I decided to check who it was, and to my surprise, I confirmed that it was an Mpesa message that I had patiently been waiting for. It was indeed a joyous and blessed night for all of us. May God continue to bless this organisation as they bless others.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to start a new business( selling clothes) in our town centre. I had the dream to operate this kind of business since it is very lucrative but I afford to raise the capital needed. I have therefore been relying on my spouse who is casual labour for our daily needs. The little he could earn could not sustain our family's basic needs. Therefore my two school-going children were always at home as a result of the arrears. Also skipping meals has been a routine in my household. It has honestly been tough and after receiving the cash, I couldn't have thought twice about starting the business. There's a relief now because the profits that I earn have been sufficient to provide for all our basic needs for my four family members. My spouse and I do not have to struggle like before in meeting our needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 15000 of my first cash transfer to settle the fees arrears for my two children who are both in grade three. The issue of school fees has been giving me sleepless nights for a while. This is because of the financial hardships that I have been encountering. Also, I had to buy two mattresses to replace the old ones that had worn out terribly. Later on, I started a business selling clothes since I have been jobless for a while. I finally used the remaining cash to buy foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Despite the fact that I am married to a teacher, I am not pleased with my life as a housewife. My husband's salary is drained by the numerous needs of the family in inclusive of food, school fees, medication and clothes. Receiving this money will therefore help me in realizing my dream of running a boutique and help my husband in raising the family. I will spend 30 000 KES for this purpose while 20 000KES will be used to offset hospital bill and the rest of the transfers will be directed towards paying school fees for our two children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children's performance in the last academic term impressed me. Besides them spending several days at home (some days were as a result of school fees while other days were due to lacking someone to take care of them as I was admitted), the children scores made me a happy and a proud mother.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been in and off hospital since the year begun due to pregnancy complications (continuous bleeding). A big chunk of money from my husband salary was spent on medication bill leaving peanuts for the family needs. This made our children frequently sent home to collect fee arrears. I used to buy new attires for the family every month, this has not happened for the last five months. My health condition has recently improved and I was planning to start a business to aid in boosting the family income but financial constraints have not made it through since we have a hospital debt of 20 000KES to be cleared.
