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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($466 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After completing the agenda I had for the second transfer, I am now looking forward to getting some money so that I start a business. The goal I set is to become a business person and I am now planning on how I can secure some money to start the business because having ideas without implementing them is unjust to someone’s mind.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well. What I can attest is that, I had a plot at the trading center but I had no money to put up a structure on it and I was almost losing it to the land grabbers but when I received the money, I was able to build a structure hence secure my land. In that regard, I can say that GiveDirectly secured my piece of land that I was n the verge of losing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After completing the agenda I had for the second transfer, I am now looking forward to getting some money so that I start a business. The goal I set is to become a business person and I am now planning on how I can secure some money to start the business because having ideas without implementing them is unjust to someone’s mind.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2pm, I was at my usual place of work in the shop attending my customers. I receive a mpesa sms indicating that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. Earlier, I had received a call from my spouse informing that my neighbour had received their transfer and I should check my phone.I was very happy for receiving my transfer since I had never imagined I would receive search a huge amount of money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that Iam currently happy after starting actualizing my dream of constructing the shops. I am optimistic that I will be able to start my shop business something that will earn me a living.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I had purchased a plot of land in the Bamba market. I had desired to construct two shops for renting but I lacked the finances. After receiving my transfer, I spent all my money on the construction of the shop. At the moment, I am about to put up the roof. I will be able to open a shop and rent the other one for a fee.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to revive my retail shop business which collapsed one year ago. I plan on investing the first transfer(550 USD) on this. I already have a structure which is just outside my home. My target is getting 15 USD a day profit just like I used to do sometimes back. Having the shop closer home means that I can also do my house chores well an get closer to my children ,which is not the case now.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work as a house help in Bamba shopping centre which is just a walking distance from my home. I go to work at 6am and get back home at 6pm. My day is usually very busy. I come back home feeling exhausted. I enjoy the after work hours since I get to relax and bond with my family. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After just two years of marriage, my husband lost his job after suffering Tuberculosis. He used to work as a driver. It really put him down that he could no longer do any meaningful job. This greatly affected our income since I used to be a house wife who depended fully on him. I was forced to be the breadwinner since then. I have been up and down since then looking for house jobs such as laundry in people's homes. I now work as a house help so as to get money to support my two children. Ten years on, my husband's wealth is not back to normaly and is still unemployed. Taking up this heavy burden of fending for my family has been my biggest hardship.
