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
53010 KES ($360 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year, my goal is to open my own salon and create job opportunities for others. To realize this dream, I intend to save at least $60 per month from my hairdressing work. I am confident that with time and dedication, I will achieve this goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels in ensuring that the program is well understood by the local community, taking the time to explain its details with patience. Furthermore, the unconditional nature of the cash made it easy for us to use it according to our needs. I did not encounter any areas in which improvements were necessary during my interaction with the program,.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was an incredible moment for me because I knew it would help me achieve my goals. My husband runs a small eatery, and I do hairdressing to support our family of three children. After receiving the transfer, I decided to invest in a dairy cow, spending $450. It was a great deal because it would save us money on milk, as we use one and a half liters daily, which used to cost $1. Financial constraints had previously prevented me from buying a cow due to our unreliable income. The remaining funds were used to purchase food. I am delighted with the support, which has brought immense joy and happiness into our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($444 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a Mpesa message, and after reading it, I knew it was from GiveDirectly because I could easily understand the content. The indicated amount matched the promised amount, so I knew I had received the first transfer. I wasn't expecting any other money in my account at the time, and as such I went ahead and collected, confident that it was what I was expecting to use on my enlisted plans.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant difference in my daily life is the purchase of more stock and equipment, which has improved business operations and significantly improved customer satisfaction in my salon shop. This has not only changed the customers' feelings, but it has also encouraged them to pay for the services we are providing, resulting in a higher profit margin.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been running a hair salon in a nearby shopping center, while my husband owns a restaurant in a nearby town. Even though the burden of obligations would always overwhelm us, we are always motivated to leave the house every morning and return home with at least some daily earnings. We intended to invest in assets, but the small amount we were getting from the businesses was barely enough to cover household bills and clothing for my family of six. On receiving the first transfer, we bought two heifers at $230 to add to the lactating cow that we already had. Unfortunately, the lactating cow and one of the heifers died of varying severity, leaving us with only one. It was a heartbreaking moment for my family, and we considered it a loss because we had high hopes of breeding them. My husband also agreed to invest $200 in my salon business, allowing me to purchase a shaving machine and restock some hair pieces for sale. I am pleased that the business is doing well and attracting more customers than in previous months. In addition, I spent the remaining $100 on groceries and clothing for my entire family of six.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
For the last 7 years, I was employed by someone to work in a salon. Over the years I have accumulated enough experience that enabled me to open my own 2 months ago. This has been my dream job and I desire to make it even bigger and employ 2 ladies to that I can also nurture their skills. I plan to spend $200 to rent a big space that can accommodate three customers at ago
What is the happiest part of your day?
With 7 years of experience in cutting and styling hair, I was fortunate to open my salon 2months ago and this is something that I am still happy about. I have always worked in other people's salons earning $3 per day. Nowadays I earn up to $20 every single day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school for my 2 children has been the biggest headache in my life. I also have an orphan who is under my care and is also in school. Every year I am supposed to raise $500 and I feel this is overwhelming. My husband, Hillary, runs a food kiosk in Bomet town where he earns $100 profit every day. All this goes to buying food because I have a large family of 10 members leaving us with no savings for school fees