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
55000 KES ($479 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After investing both my first and second transfers on starting up a retail shop, I now have an additional goal to introduce motorcycle spare parts in the business. I sell motor fuel alongside the retail shop and there are times when the customers ask for spare parts whenever their motorcycles are broken. I still do not have enough capital for it but I have already started to save some of the profits to raise money for it. This, will, therefore, not only meet their fuel needs but also spare parts for those with broken bikes which will be a boost for my business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly did well by sending money directly to individual beneficiaries and not through a third party. This was the best way of ensuring that the most deserving got the exact amount as promised. We did not encounter any irregularities in the amounts received by every recipient.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfer, my spouse and I agreed that we would spend both of them on a retail shop to improve our household income. Initially, we sold fuel on a small scale and offered Mpesa services alongside it. With a family of 8, it was not easy to meet most of our household needs with the income from it. Therefore, when I received the second transfer, I added it to the first transfer that I had saved and used it to put up a retail shop. This was the best move ever since we currently make triple the profits we used to make. I can proudly say that our living standards have improved.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 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 doing my usual chores at my business when I got a confirmation message that I received money from Give Directly. I was not expecting it at that time so it was a surprise and I felt so happy. Later I shared the news with my spouse, and he was relieved because we had been given notice that our children would not be allowed in school if we failed to clear their fee balance within the same week.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the transfers is the peace of mind I have knowing that my children do not owe the school any money hence they won't be sent back home for school fees. They now have enough time for their studies and I believe that their performance in class will improve.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid KES 22000 for my three children who are in secondary school. They had been sent back home for the fee prior to the transfers, but we only gave them KES 4000 because that was all we could afford at that time. The headteacher allowed them in school but on the condition that we had to clear the balance within one week. I am glad I was able to pay the fee on time, and they are currently in school. The rest of the money I have saved as I wait for the second transfer so that I can use them to boost my business. It is not currently doing well because for a while it has been our only source of income. I need about KES 100000 to get back to its feet and I believe I will achieve this with the transfers.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a business woman running a retail shop here at our small town and it was very much affected during the covid 19 because of low sales during that time. I depend entirely on this business both for my domestic and commercial needs. Receiving this money means I will add more stock to my shop so that I get more profit.I am currently getting a profit of 2000 KES per month because I am running it with a capital of KES 25,000 KES. I will use my transfers to add more stock to my shop and I believe I will be making a profit of 5,000 KES per month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have not got anything which could give me happiness or joy. I have been struggling with my business to feed my family and I am disappointed and very worried that I may close my business soon because I am seeing the household's daily expenditures are over weighing the income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have 2 sister in-law who are still in secondary school and they depend entirely on my business for their school fees . It takes more than a half of my profit in every month. I am the only bread earner in a family of 6 people. Getting a our daily meals depends on the business I do. We have a risen disaster of water scarcity in our area and getting water for both drinking and domestic use is very expensive because we buy 6 20litres jerican for 400 KES which is too expensive for a small business woman like me.
