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 ($471 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before the transfers, I used to really struggled to make ends meet in my life. This is because I used to depend on a small income from casual work of working on construction sites. Since the job was unreliable, I could take like a week before getting any work and at such times, I would struggle financially. This was worse because sometimes I would miss food for even three days. This is why I felt I need to start a business which has really changed my financial life. Since the transfers, I have never missed a meal and I always have some money left for savings at the end of the day.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to continue boosting my cloth and shoe businesses so that I can get more from the profits. When I have a variety and large stock, I get a lot of profits which is my income. This will also ensure the stability of the business for the future which I plan to be my main source of income for the rest of my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets, timber and nails which I used in putting up my own house. I have never built a house of my own yet I have a family. It was time to have one but due to low income, I did not have one. The rest of the transfer I used to start up clothes nd shoe business which we have been managing with my wife. I did not have a stable source of income before the transfers and I wanted to have a business which will help me meet my family needs well and in time. I am glad my life has really changed and I no longer struggle as I used to.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
37152 KES ($366 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?
My main source of income before the project was selling Khat which I also used. I did not make much out of that business because it is not a business one runs in the open which made it hard for me to financially support my family or even take care of my own needs. Now that I have a decent business, I feel motivated to do more and grow. I also make a decent amount of money that makes it possible for me to assist my family which was never possible before.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am currently selling only adults size T-shirts but my aim is to have all sizes to expand my customer base. I am also hawking the T-Shirts at the moment because I am still not able to afford decent business premises. My main goal at the moment is to have all T-shirt sizes and a permanent place to sell the merchandise.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I started a T-shirts business with some of the money I had previously received and wanted to keep it strong, so I purchased more stock of one bale with most of the second transfer. I spent some of the money on personal items such as clothing for my family members and I and the rest on foodstuff.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($194 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 goals are; to restock my business and to open a shop. Having the two businesses will guarantee me more income which will help me to carter to my needs easily. I plan to employ a trusted friend to run the shop as I continue hawking because I am used to this one.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the ability to provide for my self easily. Before then it was challenging. I was not even in a position to buy proper clothes. The little that I got could go towards food and rent so as not to be locked out of the house, at least to continue surviving in the city.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer to build a house back at home. When I went home I had to spend the night at my grandmother's house. I could feel embarrassed because at my age I was supposed to own a house. When I got my first transfer that was the first project that I thought of. I am a proud owner of a house and I can attribute my success to GiveDirectly. I also managed to start with the remaining amount. I normally hawker shoes in Eastleigh. A nearby neighborhood. I am glad that I get a reasonable income every day which is way better than hawking for someone.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy. I remember hearing the sound of a message on my phone which woke me up. The messages confirmed the good news that I had been waiting for. That was the longest night because I could not go back to sleep. I could only turn and torse waiting for daybreak to start on my plans.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to invest in my business of selling handbags. I normally hawk my handbags around Eastleigh because of the influx of people who come from eastlands. This provides a ready market for my business. I will therefore increase my stock and I would be able to get more profit in return. Secondly, I will build a house in Kyamutisya Mathare for rental purpose. I have a house here in Mathare, which my mother left for me. I will construct another house on top of the one I live. I will be able to get rent from it and this will help supplement my income I get from the sale of handbags. Thirdly, I will save my remaining transfer and use it to boost my business incase my stock goes down.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is gang violence in Kiamutisya Mathare, this has led to many police patrols in the area making it not a safe place to walk during the day or at night. The frequency of police officers patrolling our area is because of criminal activities in the area, illicit liquor and use of drugs. This has led to many police swoops in my area and sometimes I fear that I may end up getting arrested because of the people I engage with in the community who have a past criminal record . If arrested it will have a huge impact in my family since I am the one who provides for their upkeep. My mother is a widow I have always been taking care of her since my father passed on in 2005. I have become the sole breadwinner to my family and I have had to look after my younger brother who is mentally challenged. I have had to run into many debts so as to take care of my family. I fear that if I am arrested nobody will take care of my family and they may become a subject of ridicule in the society.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to join the armed forces in the military. I had a passion of joining military since I was young. My parents would take me to national events and I would see military parades which made me have an interest of joining the discipline forces. I felt motivated to serving my country and protect our borders against external aggression. In my country many youth yearn for this job and has become a major source of employment. Having this job comes with alot of privileges with a good pay. I will be able to access government services at ease, I will also be assured of getting monthly salary and this will improve my standard of living. I will be able to provide for my family with basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake up at 5:00am do some jogging at Depot ground in Kosovo upto 6:30am. I then return back home, I take a shower, prepare for breakfast and then I leave for work. I arrive at my workplace at 9:00am, pick my handbags from a store that I pay 50shillings per day and embark on my work of hawking until 7:30pm. I return back home, I take a shower, prepare for supper and I then I retire to bed. On my free time I like relax at home, listening to radio or hang out with my friends where our group is located.
