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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, I have joined a short course in wiring. I can never regret because I get skills as well as earning money by the end of the day. I cannot compare it to the construction work that I used to do. I feel like I wasted my life doing such work since I could not do anything constructive with the wages I got. Furthermore, these casual jobs were very unreliable and tiresome. Currently, I am assured of a certain amount of money on a daily basis.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to open hardware in my village. The shop will contain spare parts and other electric appliances. I started doing a wiring course with my first transfer and I want to acquire skills that will help me efficiently operate my business. I know that this will be a long term solution to my unemployment menace.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a poultry project that I had been running for quite some time but it was not doing well. The demands of the birds in our village are normally very high but I could not achieve my target. When I received my third transfer, I decided to boost my business which is now doing well. I am targeting the festive season because I am certain of selling the birds at a higher price. I really love this business because taking care of them is also easy. I know that they will be ready for sale as from the month of October. Apart from that, I also bought utensils and seats. My house is fully furnished and I am glad that it looks good. I really appreciate the impact that GiveDirectly has brought in my life.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($368 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that, I now have a house in my rural home and I have the respect and dignity I deserve as a man from my rural village. Lacking a house in my home has bothered me for a while as it is a requirement in my culture that I should have built my own house by now. I am very happy and at peace that I now have a house in my home.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to get into self employment and to create job opportunities for other youth. I hope to open up my own workshop in future and to offer training and employment to other youth, as well as earning a better income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my most recent transfer to pay for a course in Automotive Electrical. I attend training for this course at Eastleigh estate just adjacent to Mathare. I have always had a passion for repairing faulty cars. I have been feeding and supporting my family with construction jobs in the past. I enrolled for this course not only to fulfill a dream of mine, but also to supplement my income alongside my construction engagements. When I first learnt that I qualified to receive transfers from Give Directly, I knew there and then that I was going to enroll in the course. I hope I can own my own workshop in future and offer employment to other youth. I spent the remaining of my transfers to complete building my house in my rural home and to purchase a cow.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($196 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I will use part of my next transfer to clear my college fee and buy the remaining building materials which will be used in constructing my house back at home. Whatever is left after all these will be used to expand my current business by renting a shop and bringing in more products to maximize my profits.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I started the business, I have been less stressed about paying my bills and providing food for my brother and I.This is because I have been making some good profits from the business with the help of my brother who takes care of the business whenever I am at school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of the money I recently received to start a soda business near a park where people mostly hang out. I made this my first priority because I am currently taking a mechanic course, which was funded by my father before he lost his job and relocated to the village. This left me with the responsibility of paying for my own fees and taking care of my younger brother who is currently living with me. So I had to find a way of creating a long lasting source of income to sustain the both of us. I also purchased few building materials which I sent home because I am planning to build my own house early next year.I saved the remaining amount to help us with our daily needs as we wait for the business to stabilize.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was pleasantly surprised when I received the money because I never thought anyone could ever give me such an amount without me giving anything in return or working for them. Thank you GD.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I intend to use my transfers on investing in a new business at my rural home and here in Nairobi. I have plans to open up a motorcycle spare parts shop in my rural home. There has been a surge in the motorcycle business back at my rural home and I believe there will be ready market when I provide spare parts closer to them. I also plan to open up a retail shop here in my neighborhood in mathare, as some commodities are difficult to obtain unless we walk far distances. I feel a retail shop will be convenient for the community here, and will also offer ready market in business. Secondly, I intend to build a house for myself back at my rural home. I lack my own house in my rural home and I find it uncomfortable to stay at my parents house. Finally, I will put the rest of my transfers into savings.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is Family, in terms of Death or losing my parents or family members. I have a fear of losing my family through death because of the uncertainty that comes with not knowing how life will be without people that you are used to. I also fear the thought of having to live without my close family. Secondly, I fear crime and gang violence and especially when it affects the whole country. This mostly comes as instability in the country or clashes. This normally leads to people losing their lives and property and a lack of peace in the country. Finally, I have a fear of falling sick as I always feel helpless when am sick. I cannot perform most of my activities when I am sick without help or assistance from someone else.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I enjoy working on vehicles and I have even trained in automotive wiring. My ambitions are to become an automotive engineer in future.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I usually spend my days waiting to serve clients at the automotive garage where I trained. I arrive at work at 8:00am and assist in arranging for the days activities. I then wait for clients as they arrive with different needs. Some days we usually have no clients the whole day and so we remain at the workshop till 5pm as we end the day. In my free time after work, I enjoy listening to some gospel music or reading my Bible. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and playing with them a local game called "Ludo".
