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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home in the morning washing clothes. After I finished, it occurred to me that had not checked my phone for quite some time. It was at that moment that I saw the text message with the amount received in the Mesa account. I was excited and shocked at that moment. I called my husband and shared the good news, which made him happy that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference since I received the payment is that I opened my business. My life has changed in terms of cash flow, especially when my husband has gotten no orders because I can support the family. My business is doing well and I earn between KES 500- 1000 which is enough for our daily expenditures.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I finished my Tailoring course, have always had a passion to use my skills and start my business, but my husband who works as a carpenter could not support my dreams because of financial challenges. When I received the funds, I thought it was my time to turn my dreams into reality and support my family. I spent KES 15000 to buy a sewing machine and another KES 15000 to stock some fabrics and other essential items needed to start my tailoring business. It is the rainy season and I used KES 7000 in planting. I bought food for Kes 5000, which would last my family of 8 members in the next 3 weeks, and paid KES 3000 as school fees for my 6 children who are in public school. I remained with KES 10,000 for any miscellaneous or urgent expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been dreaming of starting a retail shop business in my house but invain. My husband is employed as a night watch man in another town getting a salary which cannot sustain my family's month needs.(KES 7,000 per month)
I have been thinking of the whole village doing their shopping at a shop within a distance of 3 kilometres away from my village. I have been thinking if I could be having a shop within my compound, all customers could be buying from my shop. Receiving this transfers means I will start my retail shop business. I will stock all the daily needed goods and I believe I will be making alot of profit.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My Husband secured a casual labor as a night watchman on February this year. This brought joy and happiness to me because we are getting our daily bread from what he earns.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting daily food is a problem in my house. There is no drinking water in my area, you have to travel for 4 kilometers to get fresh water.
