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 ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to boost my business even more so that it may be more profitable to support our needs more easily without struggles. In addition, intend to improve my livestock rearing.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in sending cash transfers directly to our phones. This has helped in dealing with our challenges at my household level. Also, it is non- refundable and not expected to pay back at a profit. I just wish it would stretch the assistance to reach more people to transform their lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 of the recent transfer to boost my small shop business by purchasing more stock. Previously, it had few items and I thought it would collapse. I thank GiveDirectly for reviving my business. Currently, my business has improved and sales improved by 50%. I also spent KES 8,000 to purchase two boosts my goat rearing by purchasing two more goats. With the remaining amount, I bought a variety of clothing for every member of my family, and with the other part, I bought sufficient food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my usual place of work working when I had a message notification on my phone . I remember it was about 9 am, on checking I realized it was the transfer GiveDirectly promised to send us. I felt very happy and shocked at the sometime after receiving my transfer because I thought it was a scum.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in our daily life is that my husband business is thriving very well and he is making more profits unlike before when we lacked enough money to boost the business. We are very thankful for the transfer because we will be able to meet out daily basic needs without struggling.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is a shopkeeper and we decided to invest half of our transfer on adding more stock to his business. This is because it was unstable since the onset of corona virus. we had used most of the business running capital to educate our children. The other half we spent it to purchase 3 goats so that we boost our livestock farming and bought enough food for my family because we are experience drought in our area.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Coming from a polygamous family of 16 members and the only breadwinner has been a big challenge to me. I depend on my small business (kiosk). In a month I make at least 10,000 shillings as profit. I have desired to expand the business to a retail shop, but due to financial challenges, this dream has never come through. I am planning to spend 80,000 shillings to add stock to my business this is going to enable me to earn more profit than before because the more the stock you have chances of getting higher the returns are also high. It is going to generate income for my family. Other than that, I am planning to spend the remaining amount to clear all the fees arrears for my child who is in college. I believe that she will be employed once she is done with school and support us in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is my happiest part of the day. Coming home from my work carrying food for my family to eat excites me. Unlike in the morning when I am not sure if I will come back with something to it or no.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being the only breadwinner of a family of 16 members who depend on my small business has been an issue. In a month I make 10,000 shillings as profit. This amount is not enough to cater to all our needs such as school fees hence making our 1st born daughter delay in completing her course because she has been in and out of school because of fees. Therefore lack of a good source of income is my biggest challenge.
