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 ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been able to do a few things which have transformed my life tremendously. I have been self employed courtesy of the cash I got from the organization. Right now I plan my own schedule and I only work when I think I need to be at work rather than working to fulfill the employers needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I think the organization has been in the forefront in changing peoples lives a lot. For example for me, i am now self employed and I make my own cash without having to be employed or working for somebody else.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the cash on buying a new motorcycle which I now use to ferry passengers at a fee. I decided to buy my own bike so that I could stop working for someone else because I had done that for so long. I am now self-employed and I make my own money without relying.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I'm now my own boss because I no longer operate someone's motorcycle but my own. Since I do not share the profit with anyone, I do not work for extra hours in order to raise enough money to share with anyone as it used to be the case previously. This has enabled me to pay much attention to my family by spending more time with them and in addition to that, I have been able to get time to help my spouse in attending to the farm activities thus improved workforce which has led to improved farm productivity leading to enough food supply for the family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On this particular day, one of my neighbors who is also a GiveDirectly beneficiary came to my house very early in the morning inquiring whether I had checked my phone which I had not by then. He insisted that I should check my phone which I found interesting but I did check it to clear the doubts and questions that were on my mind. To my surprise, I had received money from GiveDirectly that early morning. I felt so happy and thanked God for such a miracle because I knew this marked the end of operating someone's motorcycle since I had planned to purchase one.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I bought a second-hand motorcycle with the money I received from GiveDirectly which I'm operating for taxi services so that I can have an extra income unlike before when I used to operate someone's motorcycle. Previously when I was employed to operate someone's motorcycle, I couldn't earn enough income to care of the family's needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means liberation from hard way of life. I would like to spend the transfer on buying a motorcycle that hopefully will be a better source of income for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I make some money out of motorcycle operation and buy food for my family
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in life is extreme poverty. I depend on casual labor that is seasonal and tedious. We sometimes go on empty stomach.
