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 ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it was since I was struggling to meet my daily needs. Through this transfer, I was able to boost my business and even started another one. With these businesses, I can cater for my needs without a lot of challenges which makes me happier as a parent. Likewise, I was able to clear the college fees for my child.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well by deciding to sent cash transfers directly to the poor household. GiveDirectly has dealt with everyone's needy through unconditional cash transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $150 on investing in my business of selling silver cyprinid commonly known as omena and coconuts by purchasing more stock for my business. In addition, I started rearing chicken for sale to have diversified my sources of income. I also spent $200 to pay for the education fees for my child who in her last year in college doing a teaching course. I spent part of the remaining amount to seek medical care since I had undergone an operation sometimes back but I still had complications. Lastly, I bought two goats with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on a Friday morning when I was preparing for the day then my phone started ringing. This was a notification that there was a new message. Since I was curious and anxious I decided to check its content. I felt so happy after confirming that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I definitely knew that the idea of purchasing livestock is now achievable
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having the dairy cow and the goats in my homestead has brought a difference in my daily life. I have been having the desire to keep them for so many hours but I could not afford it because they were very costly. In a few months to come, I am assured of getting milk for free which will specifically for commercial purposes and for the remaing few liters will be for my family. This will be a surplus to their daily meal. Also, the fact that there are few cows in the village the demand for milk is very high and I am so positive that this business will be so lucrative. In addition to that, with the goats, they will also multilply within a short period of time becasue they normally reproduce twice a year. When they multiply I will be selling the matured offsprings just in case of any financial constraints.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as a dairy cow and some goats worthy of KES 37000. These have been the well thoughtful assets that I will lean on just in case of any financial constraints. I later cleared school fees arrears for my children since they reopened after the long break. I later revived my business of selling some vegetables in the village since it has collapsed becasue I had utilized the profit and capital. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy some foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a business woman and with this money I would like to expand my business. During market days I sell various goods such as charcoal and coconuts which I buy cheaply from the village. I will invest 100 USD into the business. I will then start livestock farming by buying 2 goats. Each goat will cost me 50 USD. With goat rearing,they multiply very fast. This will help me get more money to venture into other projects within a short time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours(7am -11am) in my farm and the evening hours too (4pm-6pm). Farm work is very involving and tiresome. This leaves the afternoon hours as my free time. This is the time I enjoy most since I get to relax around my compound. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In 2001 a weird kind of disease hit me. Many said that I was possessed by demons. I used to loose my memory and my behaviour was weird at times. I visited several hospitals but I could not get a cure. I resorted to get saved and depend on God to heal me from the disease. I am now well but after struggling with this situation for 12 years. The 12 years were a big setback to me economically and more worse,my health deteriorated. This is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
