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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($471 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?
The biggest difference in my life brought by the transfers is the business I have now. I had struggled through all the means I had in mind like taking a loan to start a business but I could not. The business was just a dream because through my savings in the group, I could not get the amount of money needed for the capital. This is why I decided to use the transfers to make a difference in my life by starting the business. Right now, I have a reliable source of income which will sustain my needs for as long as I have it. Thank GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Currently, the only goal I have is to buy food for my family. We are facing hard times with the emergence of the virus affecting the whole world and I would do everything to keep my family safe. This is why I want to buy enough food so that my family do not get out until the virus is done away with.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on starting a popcorn business as my main source of income. I used the transfer to buy equipment and stock which I used to start off the business. Without the transfers, I would not be having the business by now. I also used part of the transfers to buy building materials such as iron sheets, nails, steel doors and windows which I used on building my own house. I am glad I have a shelter when I go visiting at home. The remaining amount I used on buying food for my family. I have always adopted the habit of buying food in bulk which is less expensive than buying on a daily basis.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
37152 KES ($360 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference in my life is that I was able to start a business for mother and wife. Both of them have been depending on my small income which is not much. I have been really struggling and things don't work out for me. Since I started the business for them, I feel my financial burden has reduced in a great way and I don't have the little stress I used to have when I did not have any money on me. Thanks to GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
For now, I want to focus all my resources in buying building for putting up my own house. I am tired of sleeping at my friend's house anytime I go visiting at home. I feel its time I have my own house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on gifting my mother some amount of money which she requested for. The rest of it I used on starting a small popcorn business for my wife who has not been active economically. I am glad she also boost our daily income through the business now. The remaining amount I used to transport building materials such as iron sheets which I bought with part of my transfers. I do not have a house at home hence I have started purchasing building materials to aid me in putting up my own house. I have saved a small portion for future use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($194 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to expand my wife's business. Currently, she sells sweets but I would like to add other snacks like popcorns in order to increase her income base. When this happens, I know that the income will increase and we will be able to take care of our goals easily as a family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to start a business that my wife runs. This has been life-changing because we have been able to use the profits to take care of most of our needs. Before then, it was a struggle because she was a casual laborer and whenever she did not get money in a day or when I had no money, I had to take loans from friends to buy food and other needs. Being able to handle our needs as a family without taking loans has made me a happy man with the greatest sense of responsibility.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer on starting up a business for my wife. She now sells sweets. This is what we solely depend on for our upkeep apart from the casual jobs that I get which has been on and off. Previously she could do laundry work for our neighbors and get paid giving us that extra income. By the end of the day, she could get very tired after spending most of the day working without resting. The pay was also little not forgetting that she could be lucky to get the jobs only on weekends hence ended up being idle in the middle of the week. I am happy that she is self-employed and helps me to carter for the family's needs when I do not get the odd jobs. I also bought more clothes for my child. Apart from that, I managed to pay rent on time. I had defaulted for a month due to lack of money but clearing the amount was a relief. I finally decided to keep the remaining amount as savings that will help in boosting my wife's business.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
It was around 4:00 am when I heard the message on my phone. I went to check what it was about and to my surprise, the transfer had just been sent. I was very happy and shared the good news with my wife who was equally happy when she heard the good news. We waited until morning as we thought of how best we were going to utilize the money.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to open a boutique shop where I will be able to sell second hand clothes. I noticed that people in Mathare have to go all the way to Gikomba market to buy clothes. I will provide the service of bring clothes nearer to them,they will save on transport money and I will get an income in return. I will grow financially and be able to provide for my family's needs.
Secondly, I will build two houses in my rural area using this transfer. My mother and I both stay in Mathare and we barely go to the rural area. I personally do not have a house, while my mothers house is temporary and has holes in it. I fear visiting my rural home because I do not have a place for my family to stay.
Lastly, I will use the money to boost my business of selling sweets. I want to expand it by opening a small shop, add more stock of snacks as well as selling season fruits like bananas and oranges. The income I get from this business, I will use it to renovate my house in upcountry.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is Unemployment because, I am a casual labourer and I depend on an income that is not stable. I go to sleep everyday not knowing my job security for the next months. Casual labour market attracts a lot of people and sometimes it's had to find a job even for a week. My children will not be able to attend school regularly and this affects the quality of their education. Not having a job has also caused me and my family to sleep hungry on different occasions. It is important yo have a reliable source of income that generates income for my family.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to be self employed, have my own businesses and create wealth from these businesses. My boutique business will multiply and I will be able to generate an increase in my income. I will also open up different boutiques in Mathare and its environment. My children will go to school and finish their education,they will not be sent home to school fees on a regular basis and I will be a responsible father to them.
My other ambition is to be a respected figure on my community, to inspire the young generation and to help them grow in life.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake up very early in the morning, I take breakfast then head to work. I work in the casual sector. I have been employed to collect garbage in Mlango Kubwa by another group. I collect the garbage almost half a day till noon, going to and from the garbage deposit spot next to my group hall in village 1.
I then take lunch and start my second job of cleaning toilets and collecting payments from the same toilets until evening when I head home for supper then sleep.
On other days when I am called in as a labourer for construction companies, I wake very early, I then prepare for breakfast then go for that particular days work.
During my free time I spend time with my peers and even younger guys from my group educating them and advising them on life skills.
