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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 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 currently different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I have been able to purchase two dairy cows and boost my business. The two dairy cows are assets to me that will enable me earn some income which I will in turn use in supporting my children's education. Being able to boost my business which was almost collapsing is an advantage to me since it is my main source of income that I use in supporting my family
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving people financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfers, I spent it to buy a dairy cow worth KES 30,000. Having a dairy farming has always been my dream but I had not been able to actualize it due to lack of funds. In addition to this, I spent KES 15,000 to boost my shoes selling business by buying more stock. I decided on this since it was at the verge of collapsing yet it is my main source of income. I used the remaining amount to buy some timber that I am planning to use in building a house for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 17th Dec, at around 1pm while ferrying customers to their destination when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking my phone it was GiveDirectly transfers and I was overwhelmed with joy and wanted to ferry the customers on board for free but I held my peace.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is buying a heifer which I had desired for the past two years but couldn't afford. This will help reduce milk buying costs while one is on it's dry spells.The transfers have also enabled me buy adequate materials for fencing my compound which I had desired for the past six years but couldn't. This is because my job as a diver and motorcycle taxi rider were quite unreliable.There is also increased happiness in my house because we now have adequate food which we couldn't afford before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 on a heifer because it will help boost milk production in the near future because I only have one dairy cow. This is a long investment which will aid in payment of school fees for my kids. I also spent KES 10,000 on fencing posts for my shop compound. I also spent KES 13000 on timber for completion of my shop which had stalled after construction. I also spent KES 4500 on a sheep as an additional to the two I had to help improve and sustain my livelihood. I also spent KES 5000 on latest clothing fashion for my family. I also spent KES 1300 on half a sack of maize because I only had one sack of maize remaining. I also spent KES 1600 on eight chicken layers as an additional to the 12 I had in order to help cater for house hold expenditure.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall manage to attain the goal of opening a shop. I have always desired to open a shop in my compound because my house lies beside a busy road with many potential clients. Hence, opening a shop will serve as a source of employment for my wife as well as attracting more income for our family. Precisely, this money will drastically improve my family's lifestyle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am returning home from my motorbike business having some income. This means that we shall have money for meeting our daily basic needs as well as saving some amounts for future developmental projects.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a footballer, my leg broke about 5 months ago when I collided with another player from the opponent's side. Since I have no insurance cover or a sponsor, I had to spend virtually all my savings on medication services. As such, my dream of opening a shop faded away since I had no capital left. Accordingly, I have somehow lost hope of raising the required funds since the little income that I normally attain from my motorbike business could barely sustain us. However, I greatly thank God for healing me. Hence, breaking my leg while playing soccer served as the biggest hardship I have faced in life.
