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 ($461 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment I don't have any new goals since I am working hard to maintain and even expand my new business. At the moment it is doing so good that I have thought of bringing in a diversified stock to meet all the needs of my customers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, a lot has improved since GiveDirectly came to our village. I appreciated the fact that I was given the freedom of spending on all I needed without anyone planning on my behalf. Everyone in the village felt good and appreciative after receiving the transfer, and at the moment I can attest to the fact that the good work we saw will still be appreciated in other villages.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the second transfer, I spent KES 35000 on adding stock to my shoe selling business. I have been operating a small shop in the nearby shopping center that has attracted more and more customers with different tastes that pushed me to add more varieties. I am glad that the stock is moving so fast that I am thinking of replenishing soon. I also spent KES 13000 on bringing in a new piece of furniture that included tables and chairs, and also a floor carpet for my main house. In addition, I spent the remaining KES 5000 on paying rent for my brother who is currently in college. I am happy that everything I had planned has been successful and I am looking forward to doing more.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11pm while taking my kids outside for a short call when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking, it was KES55000 I was very excited and I started ululating and even jumped up and down for joy. That night I could hardly sleep.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is availability of capital for adding more stock to my business hence more income. Before GiveDirectly transfers, I used to make upto KES1500 profits per day but now I can make upto KES3000 a day. I am also grateful because I now have a water tank which can store water upto five months and this has relieved me the headache of going to the river and carrying water on the back.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES21000 on a 3000 litres water tank because as a business woman this will help in storage of water for a long period.This has helped me to spent more time on my business instead of fetching water in the river. Initially, I used to rely on profits and merry go round monthly contribution to get capital for adding more stock for my shoe business. I also spent KES22000 on purchase of additional stock for my business. I also spent KES 5000 on beddings and Christmas clothing. usually rely on merry go round monthly contribution and the profits.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a small business (buying and selling shoes) in a nearby town which I have been aspiring to improve. I intend to increase the stock by 40% using the transfer from GiveDirectly. Currently, I get a profit of approximately KES 1,500 a day and my wish is to double that. I plan to spend an estimate of KES 30,000 to buy more stock for the business. Because I am a single parent, I will comfortably educate my two young children and fulfill their dreams without much struggle. Therefore, receiving this money means an improved business and thus better living standards. I couldn't hide my joy when I heard that GiveDirectly was making their entry into our village.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 1 month, I was able to purchase a dairy cow and this has been my happiness. I was able to save some cash through the business and I managed to purchase a cow. Getting milk in our area is expensive and hard to get. We were buying 1 liter at KES 50 yet we were using 2 liters a day and this forced me to buy one as a priority.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial inadequacies are the current challenge that we are facing. I have been struggling to make ends meet through running a small business yet at the same time, I have a stalled project; an incomplete house. I have been unable to save enough to accomplish my project because I have other recurrent expenditures in my household. I have also two school-going children and both are primary level and I have been struggling to raise them singlehandedly.
