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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($442 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?
Yes, I have a plan of expanding my shop business. Once I get some money I aim to add more stock to accommodate and fulfill the needs of all clients. I aim to make my shop the main shop in the village where other retailers will be buying items from me to sell in their various shops. By so doing, I will be increasing my income and thus cater to my family's needs without straining.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Honestly, HiveDirectly is an organization that should be emulated by any other organization that wants to have an impact on the community. Besides the greater things that the community members did with the help of the GiveDirectly's transfers, it enabled me to start a business that is now feeding and taking care of my family. The organization also enabled me to have livestock which I had no projection of getting them anytime soon due to lack of money. I am grateful for the organization because I am who I am because of GiveDirectly. From a state of borrowing money to buy some food for my family to a state where I am the one selling the foodstuff. Indeed I am grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, the first thing I did was add stock to my shop business which I started using the first transfer. I added a stock worthy of KES 30000.00 to make the business more stable and to be able to provide almost all the needs of the customers. I also bought a cow for KES 11000.00 and three goats for KES 9000.00. The aim of buying the cow is for milk provision for my family because I have been buying some milk for them which is very expensive. The goats are for remembering GiveDirectly. As they give birth, the symbol or the presence of GiveDirectly will not disappear from my home.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
For a while now, I have wanted to start a business that would boost my earnings as a motorcyclist but I couldn't as I did not have the capital for it. so, when I received the funds from give directly, I felt very blessed and I was filled with so much gratitude as I could now fulfill my desire. At the time I was headed to pick up a client. I continued with my normal routine and when I was done with work, I headed home to discuss with my wife the best way to use the funds and we both agreed on opening a mini supermarket.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There has been a great difference in my life ever since I started receiving funds from give directly. In that, I now have a shop (mini supermarket) that adds to the income I get as a motorcyclist. Since I cannot operate both of them, I left my wife to be in charge of it, and on a daily basis, she makes a profit of KES 1000. As for my motorcycling business, on a good day, I get to take home KES 800. Other than this, I was also able to settle my son's school fee arrears and his termly fee. I am now not worried as I used to be about paying the bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work as a motorcyclist and I earn very little to support my family (my wife and child who is in kindergarten). Due to my need to increase my income, when I got the funds, the first thing we agreed upon with my wife was to open a mini supermarket. Where I utilized KES 40000 as capital. I also paid my son's school fees of KES 1200. He had arrears so I disbursed an additional KES 900. I used the remaining balance to purchase some food as we had run out of it.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means adding stock to my charcoal business. I have a business of selling charcoals at Mombasa. I started with a capital of KES 10000. Upon receiving this money, I will use KES 50000 to boost my business. This will raise my daily income from KES 1000 to approximately KES 3000. This is subject to daily sales. I will use KES 60000 to buy three cows as investment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My brother in-law has been sick for a quit long time. Last month, he under went surgery and it was successful. He is now recovering well. He was having a growth in his stomach. The fact that my in-law is doing well brings happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of employment is the current challenge I am facing. I do a small business of buying and selling charcoals . The profit is very little because I earn KES 300 from every 50kg bag I sell. During rains season , it is hard to find charcoals because people do agriculture and leave charcoal burning. So lack of job is the current challenge I face.
