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 ($527 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?
Having my own business is the most important difference in my life since I received my transfers from GD. In as much as I was able to solve urgent needs such as school fees and paying dowry, I am still happy about the business because it will help me in solving issues like the school fees which is still a financial burden to me. I will use my income from the business to meet my needs and I won't go back to being employed as I was before the transfers. I am financially independent because of the transfers. As I work on improving the business, I know my life too will increase and I won't go back to the struggles I went through before then.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD did everything in the right way according to me. This is because we are through getting our transfers and everyone is at peace. There are no issues arising from the transfers. I feel there is nothing they should improve on.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on starting a charcoal business so that I can have an income which can sustain my needs long after the transfers. I used to be employed in another person's business before I received my transfers and I was really struggling to meet my needs. This is why I decided to start my own business. I also used part of my transfers to go and pay dowry for my wife whom we have been married with for two years now. I am glad the dowry issue is behind me now. The remaining I used to pay school fees for my children so as to clear their fees arrears and to buy food for the family. I am feeling at peace in as much as I did not solve every financial issue with the transfer. I was able to solve most of the urgent ones.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have been employed as a taxi driver by my neighbor. I liked the job although the payment was very little. This money was not able to sustain my family's basic needs and my desire was to own one soon. I used to earn KES 200 per day which was not helpful at all. Thus when I received my first transfer, I spent it on buying a new motorbike, I am hopeful that the money I will be earning will be enough to meet my families basic needs and even save to buy another one. I feel having this motorbike is the biggest difference in my daily life because I am now getting an increased income daily as compared to when I was employed. I am thankful to GiveDirectly for their financial support
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification, early in the morning. When I checked who the sender was, I was greatly overjoyed because I realized it was GiveDirectly. They had sent me the first transfer. I felt happy because my dream of buying a motorbike would finally be fulfilled.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I had saved some money with the intention of buying a motorcycle that would help me to provide a taxi service in town. I had been employed to do this job by my neighbor though I used to get little income. When I received this money, I spent the whole amount and purchased a new motorcycle, which to me is a big boost. I can comfortably say that at least I have a good source of income. Fulfilling my family basic needs will no longer be a problem, for the daily income has increased.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am skilled motorbike rider and for the past 1year, this skill has enabled me to take care of my family. Since I do not have my own motorbike and I do not have a direct employer, I am forced to work as a squad where by I rely on someone else not riding theirs to operate. The proceeds are good in that I normally ferry charcoal and per trip I manage to save Ksh.1500.If only I had my motorbike my income would be consistent but now that I have to rely on others, I can even go for a week without getting the opportunity. With this money, I will spend ksh. 80,000 to purchase a second hand motorbike that a friend is selling and with the rest, I will complete construction of my current house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is usually in the morning. This is the time when I go to the motorbike shade in our center to talk to my friends who have their own motorbikes to request if I can be given a chance to work for the day. Being able to get that big chance really makes me happy and I ensure to utilise it so that I make as much as I can to sustain my family even on days when I have not been able to work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Not having a consistent source of income is the biggest hardship that I face. If I had my own motorbike then I am sure that my income will enable me to feed my family, construct for them a much spacious house and even furnish its interior with good beddings and seats but that is not the case. I have the skill but my using it to earn an income is dependant on if I am lucky to get a motorbike. This situation of financial difficulty has forced us to sleep on the cold hard floor in a very dusty surface. The result is that my child tends to get sick often from the dust and if given a chance, I would really like to change my situation of helplessness.
