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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been because through the transfers, I manage to join cod now I am now pursuing a beauty therapy course for a duration of three months. It has been my passion to be a soloist but my parents never had the privilege to take me for some further studies on the same. However, I had the dream that one day I would achieve it and GiveDirectly came in good time. Once I am done with the course, I will start a salon business in the village and earn a living. Also, the hotel business that I started from the financial support is doing pretty well with good returns. I am ambitious that I will even start new projects through this business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirecty does well becasue I received the support in form of money which was the most appropriate for me because I was able to plan and prioritize what to purchase. Apart from that, there was no discrimination of any kind. God bless GiveDirectly to continue serving other people living in poverty
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am planning to spend the whole of my second transfer to start a hotel business in Bamba town. I had desired to run such a business becasue it has fewer challenges compared to the rest, also I had the experience I used to a waitress in people's hotels. Therefore I believe this will be an added advantage to me considering there are few hotels in the town.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 AM when I was in my clothes then I heard my phone ringing from far. I decided to ignore it and it rang again and so I became curious. I decided to leave what I was doing and checked my phone. I couldn't believe what I saw, it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had debited the first transfers as promised. I was overwhelmed with joy and started planning on how perfect I would utilize it.
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 managed to start a business selling ladies' clothes in the town center. For all those years, I have been depending on some temporary casual jobs and the little I was earning was not even enough for the household items. Life was so tough by then, sometimes my children could be sent home for fees and stay for weeks before they could go back simply because I had no coin in my pocket. I feel there is a big relief because the business is running so well and getting good returns. I am now in a position to pay school fees for children without straining like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying three goats at a total of KES 9000. I opted in purchasing them because their food is readily available and they reproduce twice a year. To add to that, I bought some beddings which include a bed and mattress. Previously, I have used torn blankets as beddings which I was always uncomfortable with. Also, I started a business selling clothes in the town center which is now my main source of income and I think God so far so good. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuff for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I'm planning to use 600 dollars from this donation to start a clothes selling business. I'll be purchasing second hand clothes from Mombasa's Kongowea market and selling them in the village at a fair and profitable price. As a single mother relying on subsistence farming to sustain my family, this will be an opportunity to sustain my family. I'll further use 300 dollars to construct a two room house, one room for my family and the other room for visitors especially relatives who visit me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is the time I use to take a rest after a busy day either farming or burning charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is food insecurity. It has been difficult to put a meal on the table. I'm forced to sell charcoal to buy food. However, sometimes I fail to sell my charcoal due to inadequate customers making it difficult for me to buy food.
