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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a single mother of three, I am fully responsible for providing for my family. I took the initiative to open a restaurant where we offer a variety of dishes and beverages, including chapatis, meat, beans, and more. Last year, I started this venture using the financial support from GiveDirectly's transfers and the contributions I got from my merry-go-round. I firmly believe that to increase one's income, one must diligently explore new opportunities and diversify business ideas. With this mindset, I have saved $34 from my merry-go-round, for launching another business in the future. Currently, I am conducting thorough research to determine the best business that I can venture in without spending a lot of capital in starting but make a huge profit in return.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a mother of three, with two of my children currently attending school. Since I started my restaurant, I have made it a priority to pay their school fees in advance to avoid any disruptions. Presently, I have seven chickens, and I believe that they will breed and increase in number. Additionally, I own six goats, and my goal is to add one more before the year ends. I see great potential in investing in goats as they can multiply quickly. My ultimate plan is to acquire a dairy cow, utilizing the milk for cooking in my restaurant and also for sale. This expansion into dairy farming will make it easy for me, because I won't struggle buying milk but will also have some to sell and make profits.
26th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of three and my life has been able to move because of the transfers I receive. My husband and I went our separate ways when my youngest was less than a year old. He ran a shop and was our source of finances. I would make pastries and sell from his shop but our separation meant I could no longer continue making money that way. Thanks to Givedirectly transfers I had the finances to start a business, I began it at the town centre but later moved due to high rent prices to a more country side location. I have been able to reinvest in the business from my transfer and I have recently injected $34 to the business. I also have joined village saving groups which I recently sent $30 to. I paid $15 for my child in grade 3 and bought her uniform at $5. I also use the transfers occasionally for food and I spent $10 on food.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a single mother who depends entirely on my earnings to provide for my family. I would want all my children to go through school and lack nothing. I have so far been able to see through this dream to an extent as only one of the three is in school. I plan to continue reinvesting in my business and save enough to expand it more. With a thriving business I have an assurances of having my children getting the life I so desire for them to have.
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to launch a shop within my village. I am planning to achieve this by utilizing the subsequent transfers and the savings I have diligently accumulated this year. I firmly believe that this initiative will substantially enhance my current living standards. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Give Directly for providing me with this incredible opportunity, as it has transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been single-handedly raising my three children for quite some time now, and it hasn't been an easy task. They depend on me to meet all their needs. However, thanks to the transfers I received, I was able to start a food business in my village, selling cooked meals. This venture has been thriving, and I'm delighted that my life has taken a positive turn. I have allocated $90 of the funds towards expanding and stabilizing the business to increase profitability. As for the remaining $12, I used it to clear a school fee debt I had accrued, and I'm relieved that my children are now able to continue their education without any hindrances.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfers infused me with a renewed sense of purpose as the owner of a bustling hotel. With $15 as additional capital, I eagerly invested in my business, envisioning the positive impact it would have on my guests. Recognizing the significance of nurturing my farm, I allocated $15 for tilling, forging a deeper connection with the land that sustains my operations. Additionally, I set aside $4 to support my class two children's education, a testament to my unwavering commitment to their future. Through strategic allocation, I propelled my hotel forward while nurturing the growth of my family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Through my participation in a merry-go-round, I diligently save a portion of my transfers with a specific goal in mind. My objective is to use the accumulated savings to purchase goats, recognizing their value as an investment. By strategically selling the goats in the future, I aim to generate funds to cover my children's school fees. With this financial plan in place, I am determined to provide my children with the education they deserve, ensuring a brighter future for them.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I currently live with my mother and the moment I started receiving my transfers, I made the decision to join a Merry-go-round because I wanted to save enough and make sure that the money I earn is received in larger quantities. The moment I started receiving my transfers,I started having hopes and vision that I never imagined I would have. Thanks to GiveDirectly that the transfer I received was $34 and I took it to my merry-go-round and by April this year I will be receiving $200 from my savings and start the process of building my family a beautiful home. The one we currently have is small and made of mud and it gives us no pride. I did some estimation and I believe it will cost me $150 to build our house, we have most of the materials required to start us of. We want to have a two-room house with a big verandall and a place we can confidently call home.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently sell chips and porridge near a bus stop. I believe when I get enough money I will be able to open a beautiful hotel where I will be selling a variety of food stuff to my clients and make bigger profits than what I currently make in a day. I make like $8 in a day that I usually use to cover all my family’s expenses. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for everything you have done for me.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I run a grocery business at home, and I spent $20 on purchasing more stock. This has enabled me to meet the daily demands of my clients. I sell vegetables, fruits and tomatoes. This has been my main source of income to meet my daily household basic needs including paying school fees for my children in primary. Besides that, I spent $5 on paying school fees for my children. They are now studying well without being sent home like before. I wish to see a better performance this academic year since they have not missed any lessons. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and other basic household items. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our standard of living.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the transfers I went ahead and paid tuition fee for my eldest daughter who was in school. I paid KES 500 because that was the only debt I was left remaining with at her school and I preferred clearing the debt early enough before it accumulated. Afterwards I used KES 2,000 from a part of the transfers I was left remaining with and went on to purchase a goat because I wanted to grow my farm and I already owned one si with this new purchase I could allow then to breed and eventually have more goats and in case of financial emergencies I could always put them up for sale and help provide for my family. I was left with KES 500 after that which I ended up using it two purchase two packets of maize flour since we were running out of food in my home.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a business where I sell groceries and fish. Before, I used to sell some doughnuts in the street. But when I got my first transfer, I started selling fish. I then improved it further using the second transfer by starting a grocery store. This has improved my financial status and on a daily basis, I earn around KES400 to KES600. This has enabled me to provide for my two children who have been depending on me for the past 5 years after my husband and I parted ways.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I used to sell doughnuts in the street before I started receiving these transfers. Now, I have a variety of products that I'm selling which includes groceries and fish. So, in my opinion, everything give directly has done, has been done well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 500 from my most recent transfer to buy maize flour. At that time, I did not have some food stuffs for my household hence the transfer was timely. I was therefore able to buy adequate food for my family. In addition, I used some KES 500 to pay school fee for my son who is now is grade one. I am glad that he is able to study well without interruption. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I began receiving my transfer is paying school fee for my son who is currently in grade one. Paying his school fee in time has relieved me from using my little income from my small business in supporting his academics. As a result, for the past one month, I have been ploughing back all the profits from my business, that is currently registering positive improvement. I could not witness this before since previously, my family entirely depended on profits generated from the business. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for its support.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I felt so good and very happy. At the time of enrolment in the program, I had been promised some financial aid from GiveDirectly. Fulfilment of that promise made me overwhelmed with joy thus I could not hide my happiness. I definitely knew that through the direct cash transfer, I shall be able to meet some of the financial obligation of my family members. This would to a great extent reduce my financial burden.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Single motherhood comes with a lot of emotional baggage. It's bad enough to know that come hail or high water, your children must be fed and attend school. All that is dependent on what I make daily as income. I have to think fast about how I can raise funds. That's what keeps me up at night. Money!
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mother! Oh, this lady has been a godsend. She supports me in every way possible. Whenever I need to be somewhere like an interview, she will take care of my children and this puts my heart at peace because they are in safe hands. When I came back home from my failed marriage, she welcomed me back without condemnation. Every so often, she encourages me to be the best version of myself. My children and I are too blessed to have her.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of two. I separated from my husband a little over a year ago. When this happened, he declared that he's not interested in neither his children nor me. This broke my heart because I hoped to talk about the issues at hand and get back together. I did not feel the need to force myself into the unwanted marriage, therefore, I came back home. Now that I've been forced to take up the responsibility of my two children, this money form give directly will help me boost my mandazi business. I will save most of my savings and source for classic second-hand clothes to start a thrift store. Income from a few businesses will help me raise my babies comfortably.