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
53150 KES ($467 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?
Having accomplished all my goals, especially starting a small business which is providing me with a regular income that caters for my basic needs like food. I do not have any other new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in helping the poor households with the cash transfer aid. In addition, sending them directly to every household mobile phone was a great idea. Furthermore, we had the right to decide on our own the best way to spent it to solve our challenges.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 1500 of my transfer to start a small business vending dry fish and coconuts around the village. This is my reliable source of living for my family, I am currently earning an income of KES 700 per week on average. I also used KES 7000 to clear the term three fee arrears of my 4 children who are in primary. In addition, I bought new clothes for my children as well as school uniforms. They had been going to school in casual clothes that were humiliating whenever I am accompanying them to school. Lastly, I saved KES 20,000 to start livestock rearing when there is enough pasture and water in our area.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9:30 AM when I was at my daily hustle as always then a message notification popped in. I had to check first who it was. I couldn't believe what I saw, it was the Mpesa message that I had patiently been waiting for. I couldn't contain my joy and I remember requesting my colleague to handle the day's tasks and I decided to rush home. I shared the good news with my family and we all celebrated the precious gift from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the cash transfers have empowered me to buy goats. These are the living assets that I have been yearning to own for years but because of my low income, I couldn't afford them. I am so happy to mention that I now have the lean on in case of any emergency. Before the coming of GiveDirectly into my village, my life has been full of sorrow. My spouse passed on four years ago leaving behind five children who I have been taking care of ever since. However most of the days I was not able to make ends meet considering I used to earn KES 100 a day. The major challenge that I was facing is that I was not able to pay their fees on time. I however thought of a permanent solution on the same. I am certain that when the goats reproduce and multiply I will no longer strain in paying their fees like before I will be selling some and cater for any bills. I am extremely happy about the positive transformation in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying decent clothes for my children and I becasue the previous ones had torn out and this could lower our self-esteem. I later cleared the fees arrears of KES 5000 for my children and I am glad they are no longer being sent home regularly as it was their routine. I also revived my business of selling vegetables in the village and I am happy lately I have been getting good returns. In addition, I bought goats at KES 20000 that are now serving as my security in case of any emergency that may arise. With the remaining amount of money, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source of income for my household. I am an unskilled person and get a good job to sustain my family of 9 is a challenge to me. I am a rubber rapper the job is tiresome and getting a willing buyer to purchase my product is another problem for me. I have been struggling to feed my family. I am planning to spend $400 on my first transfer to start a grocery and this I am assured of getting an estimated profit of $5 per day. The remaining amount of my first transfer will help me to pay school fees for my children. With the second my second transfer will help buy 10 goats that will act as a long-term investment project to my family. The remaining amount I will use it to cater for other basic needs of my family like buying food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. It is the time when I am at home resting. The resting gives me joy
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest problem that I have ever faced in my life is the lack of a sustainable source of income. I am a rubber rapper earning very little of $3 per week. This amount is very minimal to even buy food for the family. Most of the time we skip meals or even sometimes we miss meals. I have been asking for help from my relatives something that ashames me a lot.
