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 different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, my business is doing well after expanding it, we nowadays eat well in that, we can afford to take three meals a day and what makes me happy is that I managed to pay school fees for my children with ease. They have never been sent home since I started getting the transfer. To me these are the greatest achievements. Being able to provide these basic needs makes me the happiest parent.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have a new goal at the moment. I still want to focus on building my dream home back home. I know that once I indulge in other activities, I may end up postponing the construction process. I am so determined to reach this goal. I am willing to leave everything to ensure the building process continues.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase bags of cement. I had bought bricks a long time ago. I only needed to add a few building materials in order to accomplish my goal of building a permanent and spacious house back at home. The waiting has been real since getting money to buy the remaining materials to finish the house was a problem. I am happy that the progress is good and soon I will own my dream home. I finally did shopping for my son who is yet to join a boarding school. He is a spoilt child and I think a boarding school will straighten him and make him more obedient.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($193 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
In the next three months, my new goal is to put up a house. Currently, I do not have a house back at home and anytime I go home, I have to sleep at my friend's house. This is why I have decided to start saving so that I can buy building materials which I will use in building my own house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received this transfer is that my business is now doing well. Two months ago, I was very worried that it would collapse because I used most of the resources from it to handle my personal and family needs. I did not have any other income to help me boost the business. I knew soon I will not be having the business anymore. When GD promised to send the money, I knew my prayers were answered. When I finally received the transfer, I used most of it to boost the business because it was my biggest worry. Right now, the business is doing well and I get improved profits from the much I used to get before the transfers. As a result, I am able to pay school fees, medication and other family needs comfortably from the profits.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on boosting my fish mongering business was not doing very well since it was our main income before the transfers. The other part of the transfer I used to gift my sisters who had requested for financial assistance since they did not have any source of income. The whole family depends on my income hence when I get some amount, it is an obligation to help them. The rest of the transfer I used on buying food for my family so that we may not run out of what to eat.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
It was in the night when I was back from my business. I was feeling tired since the day was very busy. I was taking my supper when I heard a notification on my phone. I was reluctant to check because I never thought it was an important message until when I wanted to sleep is when I decided to check. I was so surprised that I was assuming very important information. GD had fulfilled their promise. It was a very delightful moment for me.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to build a house for my family in the rural area. My husband and I have not been able to have our own house due to lack of capital. All our lives are centered here in Mathare but it will be nice for my children to visit their relatives upcountry often. Once I build a house we will have a place to sleep whenever we visit the rural area.
Secondly I will use the transfer to expand my business of selling fish. I currently sell in small scale and I want to be bringing more fish and even employ someone to run my second location of selling fish. This will increase my income and I will be able to cater for my basic needs.
I will then use the remaining cash to buy a cow in the rural area. I will use it for milk production, sell the milk and get an income from it.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is my family,in particular my children because I want the best life for them. I worry that as a parent I will not provide them with quality education. Almost every night before sleeping I pray for my finances to increase so that I may always pay their school fees in time.They are often sent home for school fee arrears and when I do not have money they have to stay home and miss out on school. I want them to have a better life and not end up like me or my husband in future.We are casual labourers and my fish business barely brings in enough capital, I struggle to make ends meet but I want them to be able to have a brighter future.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I want to live a good life, prosper in my business, open more spaces for selling fish and finally move out of Mathare slums. Once my businesses grow my finances will increase and I will be able to provide all basic needs to my family. My lifestyle will change and I will be able to dress better,drive my own car and take my children to good schools.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake up in the morning prepare breakfast for my children then rush out to purchase fish here in Mradi Mathare. I then come back home and start doing my house chores,I clean the fish,eat lunch then wait until evening when I start cooking and selling the fish up to 8:30pm at night. I close my business then head home to prepare ant take supper then sleep till the next day.
I spend time with my children, friends and watch African movies during my free time.
