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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was busy tending to my crops. I can recall that I overheard my mother inlaw's voice from a distance calling out my name continuously. I made up my mind to stop what I was doing and headed towards her, Upon asking her what the urgency was, I realised that she was all happy. She then told me that she had received her transfer and that she had seen a message on my phone. I was full of excitement and happiness. I knew that I would be able to accomplish so much with the transfer. I am forever grateful for the support that uplifted our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means financial freedom. This is because with the Boda Boda business I am hopeful that I will be able to earn an income daily. This would also mean that our living standards would be transformed for the better. Secondly, I was able to stock enough foodstuffs in the house that would last for a while. I am so happy for the support that opened new business opportunities in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of four children and a hairdresser at a nearby salon. The moment I received my transfer, my husband and I settled on buying a motorbike so that we can be able to start a BodaBoda business. Thus we used a sum of KES 48,000 in acquiring one. Additionally, we used the remaining amount on our children's school fees and bought some foodstuffs. I was unable to invest in a motorcycle before due to school fees responsibilities and other house duties. I am so happy and grateful for the support that had empowered us economically.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are a family of 6, my husband is employed as a motorcycle rider. He makes approximately KES 300 per day which has been sustaining us for upkeep and purchase of household goods. It is a good business and if he gets his own motorbike it will raise the daily income since he will not be sharing the proceeds with the owner. We have always wanted to own ours but due to lack of capital, we have not been able to purchase one. Receiving this money means a lot since we will actualize our dream of owning one. We are so excited that our dream will come to be. We intend to use KES 50000 to buy a second-hand motorbike and use the rest of the money to build an iron-roofed kitchen.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Sometimes last month we were blessed with a bouncing baby boy. She turns out exactly one month today. We were so elated to add one other member to our household. He is in good health and bubbly and other children are so fond of him.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Recently there was a shortage of fuel in the country and therefore he did not go to work and it denied us our daily bread. The situation has not improved, the fuel availability is scarce and expensive when we are lucky to get, this has significantly reduced on the amount of income we use to get. We feel so bad about the situation and we hope it will improve soon.
