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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have seen some changes in my life because so far I have been able to start up a small scale business which of course was never an easy thing for me to do in the past. I had only had a vision that one day I would start a business but then launching the program could never materialize due to lack of enough resources.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have a new vision of boosting the business which I already launched a few months ago. I normally buy second-hand clothes which I re-sell to my customers at an affordable price. So far I can say that the business is able to keep my family afloat because I cannot go a day without making any profits. This kind of vision never existed before I started receiving the transfers, maybe it is because I never had enough money that could help me run such a business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the money to meet a number of financial needs which included starting off a small scale business of selling second-hand clothes, selling sweets and cigarettes at my small shop. I also had some few cash still left which went into opening a chicken parlor which has so far been a pillar to my survival and daily life here in Mathare. Apart from that, I spent a bit of the money to pay my debts to the creditors amounting to around 15000 KES. Since I live in a rental house, I also had to make sure that the rent for that month is fully settled within the required time. My kids also had to go to school looking decent so I had to make sure that I bought them a new school uniform and also paid their school fees in full amount.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($367 USD)
access_time 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 from how it would have been had I never received the transfer since I am no longer the bread winner to my family . My husband is now supporting me in footing some of our bills using the money he gets from the business I opened for him. I have also been able to clear all the debts I had using the money I got from my business since I was no longer saving for rent. Due to this, I am always happy and I give all thanks to GiveDirectly for their help.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
The additional goals in my life that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is to save the little money I will be getting from my business so that I will use it in building my own house. By doing this, I will always be comfortable visiting my in laws since I will be knowing that I have my own house to sleep at.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When GiveDirectly came for enrollment, we decided as a group to contribute part of our transfers so that we can use it to start a project which we will run as a group. Due to this, I used 10000 KES from my most recent transfer as a contribution towards that. I also spent part of the money to pay for my house rent since the landlord had threatened to close our house because we had not paid fr two moths. I have always been the breadwinner to my family and getting our daily basic needs was a challenge since the little income that I was earning was not enough to satisfy all of them because my husband used to do some odd jobs and he could find none to do sometimes. Due to this, I decided to use the remaining amount to start up a business for him so that he will be using the little income he will be getting to support us.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($200 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to boost my cloth business. This has been my only source of income which has sustained and supported my family for the last two years. Due to many life and family financial demands, I have used most of my resources from the business and this almost brought the business down. I want to ensure with GD transfers, I add more stock so that I can revive it and earn more profit to help me sustain my family needs and develop financially.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have had two months of rent arrears which have caused me a lot of problems with my landlord. In most cases, I have always found my door locked because I did not have the money to pay. I have drained my cloth business which has been my only source of income and even tried to look for odd jobs to supplement my income. This has not worked for me and I have had to hide from my landlord whenever he comes to look for me. When I received the transfer, I first thank God and sent him the money so that I may not be chased away. I feel at peace and I no longer hide from my landlord. We are the best of friends we have never been before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on savings for the group to buy a piece of land. The land will be used to build rental houses which will be an income generating activity for the group members. I also used part of the transfer to buy household items such as food which we did not have in the house and to pay two months rent arrears which has been stressing me to a point I have to hide from my landlord. The remaining part of it, I used to pay school fee for my children who had been sent home for the same. They had stayed home for a month as I was still looking for the money to pay the balance.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was very happy because I knew most of my problems were solved. I knelt down and thank God in front of my family. I had not imagined I could get help this easily. I had struggled to raise money through odd jobs and did not know GD will be my help. For a very long time, I felt peace in my life.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
As a group we decided to contribute some amount of money to be able to buy land, build some houses and then rent them out. That is my first priority. Money from that will enable me plan for my future and as a group we will be able to help each other. I can also invest in opening an electronics business for my son. He did not do very well in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) examations, so I would want him to run the business and be able stand on his own.
Secondly, I want to invest in my exsiting business. I sell second hand clothes on the streets, I would want to buy new clothes and still sell. I can also open a shop( kiosk) and sell food stuff. Profits fro it will help me feed my family and pay house rent. I would want to start a business of cooking and selling chickens for people to buy.
Lastly, I would want to buy a screen. My children go to neighbours to watch television, and they tend to get bored at home without it, thus I would want them to have a screen at home.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is my family, because I am the sole provider. I would want them to have a good life. My last born is bright and l would want if possible he gets a sponsor or a donor to help him further his education.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I always pray that one day I get a land somewhere or donors that can help me get land. I want build a home for my family, especially for my sons, for them to have a place they can call their own.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I wake up in the morning, prepare breakfast, do my house chores till afternoon and prepare lunch for my family. In the evening at around 4:00 pm, I go sell clothes on the streets till 6:00 pm. I later go back home prepare supper, then rest.
In my free, I do my house chores, rest abit then in the evening I go collecting my money from people who had bought my clothes on credit.
