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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My short term plan within the coming year is primarily to restock my business and have it up and running again. In the long term, the plan is to turn it into a supermarket and by so doing, ensure my financial stability
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly biggest strength is that they impact the lives of recipients in ways that they could not have been able to do as themselves. I would wish and pray that GiveDirectly will continue to bless recipients and help them achieve their dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money that was allocated to me by GiveDirectly was in the large part used to finish my house, that I had been building. A bit of masonry work here, alot of paint there, and within no time it was done. I have 6 kids, my eldest, who is from another wife, is a matatu driver, my second born is an officer in Nakuru, my third a mechanic at DT Dobie Mombasa, the fourth is married but jobless, fifth works in a hotel in Nairobi and the sixth is at JKUAT in Taita Taveta and I allocated some of the funds to catering for the KES. 70,000 as tuition at JKUAT. These funds greatly assisted myself and my wife who is a teacher at Fundumulo School in Bamaba, Kilifi, to make ends meet which we could not. As a shopkeeper myself who ,is currently not working due to a lack of license, I would have been unable to cater for all these needs considering all I have in stock are rice and beans for sale. GiveDirectly were a blessing to me and my family
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard my neighbors celebrating that they have received the transfer from GiveDirecly. It was around 5 Pm. When I checked my phone there was no message from GiveDirecly, I was a little bit worried about why I did not receive the transfer. At around 9 pm I heard a message notification from my phone when I checked it out it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirecly. I felt so happy and grateful. I informed my family m, embers and we all celebrated with joy. I took a period of one week and then later went to withdraw the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being in a position to get better medication from the best hospital is the biggest difference in my daily life. I was feeling unwell and when I visited the hospital the doctor wanted to do an x-ray check-up but since I did not have the money I had to go back home feeling worried. I ran a small retail shop at home. The money that I would get from this was for the basic need of the family and part of it for school fees for my son. I had no extra money to save so that I can visit the doctor. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to meet the hospital cost. I visited the hospital and the doctor conducted all the tests and I was given some medication. Currently, I feed well and I can conduct my daily chores unlike before. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I renovated my house to look decent at the cost of KES25,000. I had always wished to do this but I did not have the money. I spent KES 18,000 on medication, I was not feeling well and I had to visit a doctor for a check-up. I am so happy now in that I am feeling better. I sent KES 6,000 to my son who is at the university to buy household items. The remaining amount of the money I spent on food for the family. I am so happy ad grateful for the support.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I own a shop in the town center, I have less stock due to limited capital. Receiving this money means a business boost, I intend to use the entire first transfer to increase my stock to serve all my local customers well. With the second transfer, I will start a project of buying and selling goats. I have seen they can survive during the drought season, so they will be the best in terms of investments. Profit from my businesses will help me renovate my house and pay school fees for my grandchildren. I am happy that this project came to our village.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I received a refrigerator gift from my daughter who was married away from my country. She went to the extent of buying electricity tokens to be used for two years. This brought joy to my life, I was able to start my fruits and juice business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The economic condition of our country is the challenge we are currently facing. Prices of commodities have all risen for no valid reason which has made us opt for one meal per day. This has made us weak and unproductive in our daily activities. I am a shopkeeper and I sell mostly on credit to my customers because of the high inflation rate. This gives me loss every day, I have no hopes of what tomorrow will look like with my business.
