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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having closed my shop a few years ago because of dwindling finances as occasioned by huge responsibilities that required finances such as my children's school fees, I am glad that I have now reopened a retail shop, bigger than what I had before. I did not think I would ever do this because I honestly did not know how or where I would get the capital to start this business again. The retail shop will be an additional source of income for my family and would help us meet our day to day needs. I was also able to improve my chicken rearing farming by buying a chicken mesh. This will improve the safety of my chicken and will also ensure that my crops are not destroyed by the chicken. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly for lending us a hand.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I love that the staff from GiveDirectly were humble and down to earth, always understanding. I never heard of any harassment by the officials. They taught us and gave us all the information that we needed. There was fairness in how the transfers were distributed. Every process was done well and accordingly.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the whole amount of the second transfer received to start and run a retail business. I was once a retail shop owner awhile ago but when responsibilities such as school fees took a toll on me, I had to close it down.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
After my wife passed away, I was left to take care of the family myself. At first, it was scary and hard because I depended on manual jobs in the village. I decided to save money which took me some time and used it on starting up a business. The profits from this business have been sustaining us since then. The change that I enjoy at the moment is an increment in the stock of my business using GiveDirectly's money. With the profits from the business, I have been able to pay school fees for my children who are in secondary and college respectively with ease. I have also expanded my poultry project hence with the egg-laying chickens I get a doubled number of eggs in a day and sell to my neighbors
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message indicating GiveDirectly had sent me money which it stated. I felt very happy and blessed at unexpected time. This was my point of breakthrough and thank so much GiveDirectly .
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent 20,000 KES of my first transfer to boost my retail shop business . I have always been a businessman and this retail shop business is my livelihood that caters for my household's needs and other developments . Therefore,I felt putting part of the money in the business will double the profits through increased sales . I expanded my chicken cope and added fifty chicken onto the hundred that I have.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Paying school fees has been an uphill task for me.With the money from Give Directly I want to find a solution for this. My target is rearing sheep.To begin with I will buy 12 sheep.This will cost me around Ksh 55,000(550 USD).Within I year I am sure that the number of sheep will have doubled.This will in turn help me in paying school fees for my children.I have 4 children who need school fees;among them ,one in the university and another in secondary school.I will also spend some amount in renovating my house which is not in good condition.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning.A new day always bring hope for me.I wake up everyday knowing that I foresee a better tomorrow.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my wife two and a half years ago and things have not been the same since then.First ,it has been hard coming to terms with that.My home feels empty and again it has been hard for my children.The youngest child is 3 years old old now. Secondly,I have been left with all the family's burden and it has been hard balancing my shop business and home duties.This has affected my income.My wife used to take care of house chores and home duties like feeding and milking the cows as I operated the shop.I now have to do all of them on my own especially when my children are in school.
