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
53150 KES ($435 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the next one or two years, my plan is to expand my tailoring business and open a second shop if possible, this way, school fees and other basic needs will not be of much of a struggle for me and my partner.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly is doing a great job by making enrollment so easy for us, the only requirement being an ID and 18years of age and above, it made it easy for us to get the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used around ksh 30000 to expand my business that I started in the beginning of the year with the first transfers, with the transfers, I was able to buy more sewing machines, added sewing material and employed more people to help me around the shop since the number of my clients is increasing especially for school uniform.
I also bought food for a family of eight enough for a month and paid off a school debt of about ksh 10000 so my child was able to go back to school, we are so grateful now because I cleared the arrears on time and she will be able to settle in school without stressing about school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It around 9:39 pm when I had retired to bed after a long day when I heard a message notification. It was so unusual because I was not used to receiving messages at night and that prompted me to check what the message was all about. Upon opening my messager, I found out that I had received my first transfer and I called my mother to inform her and she joyfully told me that she had received her's as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I bought a sewing machine which I never thought I could afford to buy and I'm optimistic about the future compered to before. I also managed to buy a dairy cow and I'm looking forward to start selling milk in two year's time hence increase my income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I graduated from tailoring collage last year and since I had no money to start my business, I started helping my mother in a shop where she sells school uniform. As much as I was hopeful that I will start my business one day, I wasn't sure when it will be and I was sure this dream will take many years to actualize because of financial constraints. When I was enrolled, I was supper excited because I knew that it was possible to achieve my dreams and other goals within a short period. I spend KES 18,000 of my first transfer to buy a sewing machine, KES 28,000 to buy a dairy cow and the balance to buy food and other household items. I'm hopeful that I will manage to buy stock and start my business once I receive my next transfer next month.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to depend on my grandmother for upkeep before she succumbed to a sudden illness in January 2022. Thereafter, I have been depending on good wishers to support my family of 2 and since I am a grown-up and energetic person, I wish to fend for myself fully. I intend to utilise KES 30000 to put up a second-hand clothes business at Chebunyo Centre hence using the profits to pay for my college fees as well as raise my family. I will be glad that I will be able to stand by myself therefore not bothering my relatives for upkeep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Death robbed my grandmother's soul in January 2022. This affected me immensely since she was my only hope given that I had stayed with her since 2015and we had bonded enough. I almost lost hope in life since I did not know what the future holds for me. However, I am happy that my 1-year-old daughter restored my hope in living as I found the reason to move on. She is my only source of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Education is the key to success! And I have always been living by this slogan. I completed grade 12 in 2019 under the care of my late grandmother who was a known business lady at Chebunyo. However, my dream of furthering my education was shuttered when she developed health complications and later passed on in January 2022. All the finances were directed to her medication and we ran bankrupt. I am saddened that I am not able to achieve my dreams for a lack of finances.
