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
55000 KES ($478 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?
My household has transformed courtesy of Give Directly. I successfully invested my transfers as I had planned earlier and so far I cannot complain. I spent most of the transfers on a motorcycle and a business. At the moment, I do not have any additional goal but to pay more attention to these projects to ensure they prosper.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly is the best organization that has ever worked in our village. They gave us clear information and were transparent in the distribution of the cash. I have not heard of any complaints from anyone in our village about the work they do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 30000 KES on a deposit of a motorcycle that I bought on credit with the plans of 2500 KES weekly for a year to clear the balance. Previously, I was employed to operate someone's motorcycle but I did not earn much from it because I paid on commission. Currently, I make 1500 KES daily from the motorcycle which is enough to pay for the debts and have some to meet my household needs. The remaining 25000 KES I invested in buying and selling cows for profit. Our household income has improved which has led to improved living standards.
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?
I felt so happy when I received my first transfer. At that time I was financially constraint since I was in a serious need of some money. I had been thinking on how I could buy my own motorcycle because I had been using someone's which was always stressing. The transfer message came at about 5:45pm while I was still making some trips before I could go back home to join the rest of my family. As a result of uncontrolled joy, I reached out to my wife to inform her of the the transfers. Honestly, I have never been as happy as I was then. I highly appreciate GiveDirectly because from the transfer, I now own a motorcycle.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I began receiving my transfer is owning a motorcycle. From the bodaboda business, I have realized an increased level of income. Previously, I could hardly make a profit of KES 300 per day. Nowadays, the least profit I make per day is KES 6,500. I am glad that currently I am able to offer adequate support to my family members. As a result of the transfer, my life has therefore become better than before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to buy a brand new motorcycle on credit. I spent KES 25,000 to make deposit payment while every day I always have to pay KES 300. From the bodaboda business, I always generate up to KES 1,000 shillings per day from which I save up to KES 500 daily. In addition, I bought a bed and a mattress at a total KES 7,500. Previously I had a very old mattress that was always uncomfortable to spend on. Lastly, I bought 20 bags of cement which I shall use to plaster my house to make it more durable.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting a hotel business. I am a hired motorist who is paid on commission. In a day I earn a commission of 400 KES. However, this is not reliable because at times I do not get any profit and I come home with nothing in the pocket. My wife is expectant, we are expecting our first child and needs some money to go for clinic, and also meet her basic needs. This becomes difficult especially when I do not get any commission. My ambition has been to start a hotel business where I can work together with my wife and get a lot of profit for our survival. Upon receiving this money, I will use 30000 KES to start and run my business. I will then use the remaining amount to buy goats that I will keep and sell when they multiply as an investment for my future family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month I worked for three weeks and I did not get any pay. This frustrated my life and life became meaningless to me because I had a big debt at a local shop where I had been loaned a bundle of flour. Fortunately, my father had given me some goats and I had completely forgotten because they were not at home. The goats were ten and I sold all of them and settled the debts. This restore joy to my life and gave me hope.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the main challenge that I am facing. Imagine having someone depending on you and there is nothing you can give. This is the situation I am facing currently. My wife is expectant, she has not job and cannot work because of her condition. The only thing she relies on is my job as a motorist. What makes more sad is that most of the time, I do not get my commission because there are no clients to carry since there are very many motorbikes in the village. This has made life more difficult for me. My dream is to start my own business that will help me get money to meet the basic needs of my family. Upon receiving the cash transfer, I will prioritize starting a hotel business which does very well in my village. This will cost me 30000 KES. I will then use the remaining amount to buy food and ten goats that I will keep and sell when they multiply.
