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.
How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is currently different from the way it was four months ago in that I was able to enroll my child in a private school. I'm glad his performance has improved because he is given a lot of attention as compared to when he was in a public school. This was made possible because of the improved income that I'm currently earning from the business that I opened with the previous transfers. I am grateful to Give Directly for boosting me financially and allowing me to achieve these goals
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am currently running a business at my house. It is doing well although I find it a bit inconveniencing at times because I'm not able to reach many customers. Not everyone will be comfortable to come to my house, therefore, I end up not attracting many customers. Therefore, for the next four months, I have a new goal of moving the business to the nearest shopping center. This will enable me to reach many customers thus improved sales.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
Previously I didn't have any stable source of income. I relied on casual work in order to earn a living. I'm glad through the transfers I got from Give Directly I was able to start up a retail shop. Since then I have been restocking it with part of the transfers I have been receiving every month. I'm happy the business has picked and I'm able to comfortably meet most of my needs without struggling. This has given me a lot of peace because I no longer borrow money from friends like I used to do before.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
Currently, the wholesale shop where we get our products is far from us which costs much in terms of transportation of the products. Therefore, I have the plans of saving some of the money I receive from GiveDirectly so that it can help me catering for the transport expenses to and from the wholesale shop. I am planning to buy good in large volumes because they will be cheaper that way. This will allow me to also sell them at a wholesale price hence attracting more customers.
15th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I'm currently self-independent and I have some savings in my account. Thanks to GD because I was able to start up a retail shop business which has made life so easy and I feel motivated to achieve more in life. I will invest more in the business so that I can improve on the profit which will help me provide for my family well.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I trained as a tailor but I have not been able to utilize the skill since I have not had a sewing machine nor someone to employ me in their shop. In the next four months, I have a goal of saving part of my transfers and buy a sewing machine. With this, I'll have an additional source of income thus improving my living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I didn't have a reliable source of income instead I only relied on working on other people's farm for pay. This was the only source of income I had. Right now, I'm proud and happy I no longer do the hectic work and I can save some money monthly from the transfers I get from GD. This is because I was able to start a retail shop with previous transfers which has been my source of income.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next six months of my life, I expect to have bought a sewing machine thus I'll have an additional source of income apart from the retail shop business. With the improved income from both businesses, I'll be able to save some money and use it to expand the current retail shop and later make it a wholesale business.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
My life is different from how it was four months ago because I managed to open a business which is my main source of income and quite reliable as compared to the casual work I used to do in the past. I am now capable of paying the school fee for my children in preschool and also buy nice clothes for them.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I am planning to buy a sewing machine which I will use for dressmaking to earn money. I had taken a course in dressmaking but have not been able to have my own dressmaking shop because I lacked capital. I am so happy that GiveDirectly has just help me to revive a goal that I had lost hopes on.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily for the last four months preceding the current transfer is that I managed to start a small business of selling food items which has been earning me some income. I am glad to be self dependent and most of my needs addressed since I earn my own money. I used to do casual work on other peoples farms where I earned so little and had to rely on my parent for additional help.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to have a sewing machine in the next six months which is one thing I have always wished to have but lacked money for buying it. Having my own sewing machine will enable me to practice my profession on dressmaking as well as earn me a living. I will also be able to earn more income which will allow me to give my children the best care.
7th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Apart of the increased profits I am making daily,I am able to afford most of the things we could not as a family. My mother can now rest from the handwork of burning charcoal to make ends meet.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
My new goal is to build a permanent structure for my kiosk. That means it will be a big business now and that also means more profits.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily is that my daily profits have increased. I have been able to boost my business using the money I have been receiving from GiveDirectly.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In the next months,materials for constructing a permanent kiosk will be ready. I believe I shall have gained what I have always wanted in my life.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 6 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 grow my business through continued strategic diversification. For example , with my next payment I plan to introduce the 25 kg bag of sugar, and so on. I could not have dared plan in this manner before due to low finances..
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current life is different in that I can have a plan in place
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my living standard to improve since in the next six months I plan to join a Table Banking group, which will enable me to save, and be able to borrow for my planned Projects.
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 diversify my micro business by introducing the 25kg bag of rice, consequently I have additional customers.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of school fees that prompted me to drop out of school.I went for tailoring course and the same problem persisted owing to the fact that my mother is a widow and the burden was too much for her.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is normally in the evening when I have many customers in my shop.This means increased sales and profit as well.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
Am planning to spend my transfer on improving my business and buy steel door for our house.To be specific,I will add more stock some of which I have not been able to stock.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement am much proud of is having started a small business that has enabled me to buy furniture and door frame for my mother.With the support of give directly,I will buy a steel door too.