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
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have added stock to my business of retails shop. I own a small business of a retail shop which I started using the previous transfer. I found it wise to invest on this amazing business. I have children in various colleges and universities and every month I am required to provide some money for food and rent. It's so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I had always wished to start this project but I didn't had the capital. I am so grateful for the support because currently I have this business and paying rent and providing for my children in school is much easier now compared to when I had not received the transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on paying school fees for my two children in various colleges. I so happy because they were able to study well without being disturbed.i also purchased a dairy cow. To enable me cut the daily cost of buying milk. The rest of the money I added stock to my business of retails shop. This earns me a profits to meet my daily household expenditure and pay school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
With my daily busy schedules, I remember I had left my phone in my small business premises when I heard from neighbors that GD's transfers had been sent. I went to my premises took my phone and checked if the stories around were really true and to my surprise, I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was left overjoyed and thankful for the gift.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have brought up my family using the small business I operate in the nearby market. I have developed passion for this since I have seen how good it can be when well operated since my family has been able to have good access to basic needs with my little profits. My children educations and daily household needs among other financial needs that have been overwhelming and has threatened my business. I have struggle a lot to expand it in order to have better profits but this had never seem possible. The biggest difference in my daily life is the ability that I got courtesy of GiveDitrectly to complete my kiosk. I happy that even though I wasn't able to full stock it, I was able to acquire little that with time it will be marketing my business. Thank you GiveDirectly you have given me hope of better life. I will be able to fulfill my family needs with ease with my growing business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a small businessman and for the time I have been in this business I have been relying on rental premises. I have always struggled to have my own business premises but this had never been fulfilled with the scarce resources I had. When I received my cash transfer I took KES24000 to complete my simple business structure I had build and to buy some stock to start up with. In addition, I used another KES20000 on my children's school fees. I am glad to see them in school pursue their dreams. I spent the remaining amount on both daily household needs and items together with my family's food and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since I am a single parent to my children, receiving this money means that my two children who are currently at the university shall have ample time to pursue their studies. I have been operating a food kiosk in a nearby center to raise school fees. Unfortunately, I usually realize insufficient profits because it is a relatively small business. Hence, I will utilize the transfer on expanding my shop to attract higher profits.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I usually spend most of my day operating a food kiosk, the happiest part of the day is in the evening when I have returned home and rejoined my family members. The little time that I spend with my children strengthens our bond as a family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being the single breadwinner for my family, I have been rising at dawn to go and operate my food kiosk. Besides, I usually return home late in the evening. Hence, I feel like I am disconnected from my family because we have little time to spend together. Besides, it has become difficult for me to effectively handle and manage other family tasks since our house is commonly closed during the day when I am at the job while my children are at school. Also, I feel some pain in my chest, probably due to the chilling cold at dawn that I usually encounter when walking to my work station. Hence, the biggest hardship I have faced in life is operating a food kiosk that is situated far from home. I wish one day I will establish a food kiosk in my compound to avoid the current challenges.
