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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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($403 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As a family, we do struggle to make ends meet through the bodaboda business my husband runs. It is seasonal and the income is unpredictable as on a good day, we earn $7 otherwise we do not make any profits. Since I already opened a hotel business, I hope that the profits may double in a few months. To achieve this, I plan on expanding the business through the profits and additional savings from the transfers. I will be glad that my family of 2 will be financially stable and settled as well.
wish to expand my hotel business from the profits and add more goats
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
As a community, we are excited that a tremendous change has been observed. For instance, the lives of people have improved as they have been uplifted from poverty through the transfers. I am glad that the transfers are unconditional as one has freedom of choice in the spending area thus as livelihood changes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life can be challenging at times if one does not have a constant source of income. My family of 2 have been victims of such uncertainties as the $7 we earn from the bodaboda business my husband runs is unpredictable. On the other hand, to assist my husband, I often seek laundry services in the neighbourhood to earn $15 per week. All this money, though seasonal, caters for food for the household. Therefore, as a long-term source of income, I used $350 to open up a hotel business and an additional $ 150 in purchasing goats because they breed so fast and are drought resistant. I am excited that my family will soon be financially stable and food secure.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($443 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember being at work when I received my transfer. I was surprised to hear a buzz from my phone, indicating that I had received money from GiveDirectly. Words cannot express the immense joy I felt knowing that I would realize my dream. I immediately called my husband and told him the news, which he received with joy. We then started thinking about how we could make the most of our transfer.
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 am more optimistic about the future. This is due to the fact that my husband and I are starting a business that will help our finances. Previously, due to financial constraints, this was not possible. I will be eternally grateful for the help that greatly improved my life by granting me financial independence.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I knew my dream of starting a business would come true when GiveDirectly promised us an unconditional transfer. To boost my income, I do normal casual jobs, while my husband is a motorcycle taxi rider. We continue to put our faith in God for children. My hubby and I decided to build a business premise after receiving our initial transfer so that we could start a business. We spent $450 there. Second, we used the remaining funds to purchase goats. This was not possible previously due to our unstable sources of income. We are overjoyed that we will finally be able to realize our long-held dream.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My family has two members and we expect a child three months come. My husband is a casual laborer and I am just a housewife. He earns approximately $120 in a month. This caters for food only. I have complications with my pregnancy that requires a specialist medical doctor but due to lack of funds, I have never seen one. I only hope that all goes well during the delivery time. I have a business Idea where I want to start a shop business so as to support my husband in raising the family. I will use $400 to build a small structure that will be the shop at the town center. I will also use $600 as capital to start the business. The Vitengeni centre has only three shops which are not enough to meet the market needs. I will sell shop items and clothes and expect to make a profit of approximately $40 per month. My focus is to have a family that has all the basic needs at all times.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I was married nine months ago, I have never had breakfast with chapatis and strong tea due to lack of money. Two weeks ago, my husband my mother-in-law brought 1kg of baking flour, 1litre cooking oil, and salt. I made chapatis and enjoyed with my husband. I felt very happy even my fetus was active the whole day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a family of two members and I have been to marriage for only nine months now. I am a housewife and my husband works as a casual worker with an income of $120 per month. We are expecting a baby for three months to come. That income changes depending on how much work he got in a month. As an expectant woman, I need to feed well every day but that is not the case. Two days ago, I had a cup of porridge and spent the whole day without food. I feel dizziness nowadays due to a lack of enough blood. This is caused by a lack of food. This is the challenge I am facing .
