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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time I received my transfer, they had admitted me to the hospital. I had some problems with my appendix, which affected my health. I spent KSH 2000 from the transfer to clear the pending hospital bill when discharged. Besides clearing the hospital bill, I spent the remaining KSH 1000 to buy some over-the-counter drugs that were not available in the hospital. I am back home recovering from the illness and soon I will resume my work.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a bike mechanic and when I received my first transfer I used all the kes 1200 to buy bicycle tools to help me start of my business.My second transfer was divided in buying food and buying more tools that I needed in my business. My recent transfer came when I had taken foodstuff on credit and I paid kes 2000 and saved kes 1000 for future incase of anything I need to buy in my line of work.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I have gained and will keep gaining a lot of financial assistance because since I am the bread winner of my family at times business did not go so well but the funds have helped me grow it and even save money to develop it further in the future and I am so happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I happen to repair motorcycles for a living so when I received the money I went ahead to buy more spare parts for my shop and this included side mirrors and accelerator cables just to mention a few and this cost me around KES 1,500. Also since my father passed away some years back my mother and siblings depend on me so I went ahead and bought a bag of maize flour which contained twelve packets at KES 1,000 and this would sort out the meal situation for a while. Lastly I put KES 500 into my savings account so that I would have money on the side in case of any emergency.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received the transfer i was filled with excitement and I thanked God because I could not believe the money had finally come through and it meant that I could finally start my own project and earn more money for my family of four since I already had the skill to the job.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Honestly the biggest difference was the fact that I established my own business because previously I worked and borrowed tools from a colleague, and in turn we would spit the profits. So opening my own business was definitely a plus and it meant that I could keep all the money I received and in turn add to my savings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I have knowledge with the mechanics to motorcycles I had been wanting to open my own business because previously I used to borrow tools from a colleague. With the money I managed to open my own shop for fixing motorcycles and so I needed to get some tools to assist me in my shop. I managed to purchase an air pump for the tyres which went for five hundred kenya shillings, a pair of side mirrors costing two hundred and fifty kenyan shillings, a clutch cable which went for one hundred and fifty kenyan shillings and a box of tyre patches which accumulated to three hundred kenyan shillings. Meanwhile the transport to and fro was three hundred kenyan shillings of which I added from my personal savings.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
At the moment, I am working as a mechanic at my friend's workshop. We repair motorbikes and at the end of the day, I have to pay him for using his tools. With this, I sometimes end up making losses or nothing at all. With the first four transfers, I intend to save up KES 10,000 and start my own garage where I'll be able to work for myself and make maximum profit as well as enhance my skills. I also desire to continue saving and start selling spare parts in order to make more money and improve my living standard.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am at my happiest in the morning because first I am grateful for being alive and healthy. Second, that is rush hour and I get a lot of punctures to fix for motorcycle riders who are in a hurry to take people to work. Sad as it may sound, we take advantage of this rush hour to hike prices for repairs, start off the day on a high and hope to continue well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
That would be stability in employment. The garage I am working at belongs to my friend who is not willing to employ me permanently so that I can at least have a salary that can sustain me longer. I am looking forward to this money from Give Directly. I am hopeful to start a business and grow it over time. I am barely making ends meet with the current work arrangement because I earn as little as KES 250 in a day and that keeps me up at night.
