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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before my hustle was selling a variety of candies and since its profit was meagre it couldn't sustain me and it reached a point in time where it was at the verge of collapsing. Currently, my life is different in that I have started my own business of selling popcorn which I supplement with the income I get from my other business of selling candy. lately, I have been able to provide for my needs with ease and save as well. Through saving, I am hopeful that someday I will be my own boss by starting a wholesale retail business.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new additional goal for the next four months is to save part of the transfer and the income I am getting in my business and use it to venture into a wholesale retail business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the larger portion of the recent money I received to pay school fees for my sister who is in high school and it relieving for my single mother since the money she could have used on paying her school fees she has invested it on other projects. The remaining transfer I started a popcorn vending business and bought household expenditure as well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($200 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to buy a popcorn machine. This will boost the income that I will get from my business. I will therefore help my mother to pay school fees for my sister and meet other family basic needs. Currently my mother is struggling to pay school fees for her with the little income she gets from casual work.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving my payment from Give Directly is that I have expanded my business. In the past I used to sell sweets only in the streets and the money I got was little and could not meet all my basic needs. At times I could stay hungry when I did not get money to buy food and I was also struggling to pay rent. I am now happy since the income I get from my business is enough to meet all my basic needs as I used part of transfer to expand my business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my most recent transfer to expand my business where I sell sweets. I used to sell sweets in streets before receiving my transfer. When I received my first transfer I used part of it to expand my business and buy more snacks such as biscuits and chocolates. I used to get little income from the business since the initial capital was small and I used to struggle to buy food and pay rent. Thank you Give Directly since the income I get from my business is enough to cater all my basic needs and can even help my mother to pay school fees for my sister. I also used part of transfer to buy a sofa set. I did not have a chair and when I get visitors they set on my bed and I was not happy with it and at times I could fear welcoming visitors in my house. I am now happy since I can welcome my visitors comfortably in my house.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
It was seven O'clock in the morning when I woke up to the good news that I have received money from Give Directly. I prayed and thanked God since I knew that I will expand my business and I will be be able to help my mother pay school fees for my sister in secondary school. I was so happy since I knew that I will no longer struggle to meet my basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to stop Hawking in Thika super highway where I sell sweets and refreshments to motorists. I will expand my business by opening a shop in Ngara where there are many offices and no shops that sell sweets and refreshments. My second priority is to go back to school. I dropped in primary level because I felt I wasn't good in class. I have come to realise the importance of education to acquire knowledge by joining part time special classes.
I will also invest in boda boda business by buying a motorcycle. I will employ someone and this will guarantee daily income because they are convenient and many people prefer to use them. This will help supplement my income because they are profitable.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is lack of employment because I will struggle so hard to make ends meet. I will be unable to sustain my daily needs of having food, shelter and clothing. I may result to beg which I don't like or go to upcountry. I may also get challenges supporting my mother because her income is low as well as supporting my sisters education.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to be a successful businessman. I would want to open many shops because they are profitable. With this I will be able to take care of my family by providing basic need such as food, housing, clothing, health and education. I will also be able to buy land and build my own house as well as rental houses.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day starts at 5:00am where I go to Thika super highway to hawk sweets and refreshments in the morning because of the traffic jam until 10:00am when the traffic jam subsides. I come back in my neighborhood and have my breakfast in a nearby hotel. I do my budget from my sales and take stock of what to sell the following day.
In my free times I relax with my friends at home or listen to music or visit my mother sometimes where she stays.
