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 ($495 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different in that I have started my own business which I supplement with the income I get from the casual job hence lately I have been able to provide for my family with ease and save as well. Through saving, I am hopeful that someday I will be my own boss by starting a motorcycle job hence I won't have to be employed in the private sector but rather focus on my business.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Being an employed as a casual worker it's always overwhelming as the employer takes advantage and gives a lot of hard tasks hence being a victim. My new goal is to save and through the I will use to buy a motorcycle purposely for motorcycle taxi business. After achieving this I will be my own boss thus I won't have to be employed in the private sector but rather focus in my business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to boost my second-hand cloth vending that I had started with the previous transfers. When I supplement the income I get from the casual job which the one I do on part-time I am able to provide for my family with ease. I also bought a cupboard and saved the remaining amount.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($367 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I can now meet my daily need from the proceeds from my business. Before I used to rely on casual jobs around construction which were not reliable. I only earned KES 400 per day which was barely enough for my family. I am also seeing life from a different perspective that I can always be great. I have bigger aspirations. At the moment I am hoping that I will save a lot from the business. From the savings, I am planning to buy a motorcycle which from it I am going to earn extra income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Before receiving the transfers I only used to aspire to do business. These aspirations never came to pass since I did not have enough capital to start the business. I used only to rely on casual jobs. I would do casual construction jobs and could only pocket KES 400 a day. These jobs were not reliable since they were seasonal. When I received the transfers I used them as capital to start a business dealing in men's wear. This became life changing as I now earn triple what I used to earn. At the moment I earn KES 1000 daily.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the second transfers on buying a television set at KES 13000, I also spent KES 6000 on expanding my boutique. I also saved KES 7000 bank account and also paid KES 2500 as rent. The remaining amount went towards buying daily needs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($195 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
With the profits I get from the business, I will ensure I save enough to help me buy a plot where I can put up my home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life now is that I am now self-depended. My wife has always been our breadwinner working in a nearby salon for a year now. Since I received this transfer, I was able to start my own cloth business which has helped me handle my own issues without asking for help from my wife anymore. I want to ensure I be the provider for the family just like my wife has been doing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying a gas cylinder since I have been using a stove and it has been costly buying kerosene daily. I also used part of the transfer on starting cloth business so that I can have a stable source of income to sustain my life. The remaining part I saved to help meet other financial needs that may I arise.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I did not believe it when I saw the message. I never imagined I could get such amount of money in my life by now since I only depend on casual jobs.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I had a desire to have a business of my own. I would like to start a boutique for men wear because men are trendy. In my area due to high population, it provides a ready market and is profitable. I would like to join college and learn about graphic design. When in high school I had a passion for colours. Lastly, I would buy food in my house.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because my life will be unstable. I may result in engaging in criminal activities to make ends meet. I will be unable to provide basic needs for my family and could end up in separation.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a successful business man. It fills so nice to be on top and stress free. I would also want to give back to the society. There are many people who are facing financial constraints and need our support.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
When I wake up in the morning, I have breakfast. I go to work at a construction site where I have been called. I work upto 5:00pm in the evening and I head back home. When I get to the house, I take a bath, while I relax with my family. I then take supper then I sleep. When I am not at work, I normally visit my friends, or I spend my time at video entertainment shops to watch movies. On Saturdays I play basketball to keep fit and on Sundays I go to church and visit friends. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and reading novels.
