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 learned that I had received my money, I became so happy. This is because this money was going to change my life positively in so many ways.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I managed to revive my kiosk business. Initially, the business was not doing so well because most of the time, I was utilizing the capital to meet my family's needs. This made the business to collapse. I am now a proud businesswoman because the transfer has enabled me to buy more stock and I am now getting some good earnings. I am now meeting my family's needs with ease unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger part of my first transfer on buying some more stocks for my kiosk business. This has been my source of income for all those years and the business was not doing well which was stressing my family. I then settled some hospital bills since one of my relatives was sick and he later passed on. I then constructed a small kitchen because my house was not spacious enough. The remaining amount, I am using it buying enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items which I did not have.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the past 6 years, the small shop business has been our source of income. However, due to lack of enough capital we have not been able to expand it thus we earn very little from it. In a good month we get 2000 shillings besides the daily expenditures. My ambition therefore is to add stock to my business once I receive the transfer. This will make it easy to provide for the family as well as save enough for future needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am preparing supper and interacting with my family. Having them around is such a joy and I always thank God for protecting us.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to the nature of our income, financial insufficiency has been our biggest hardship. This has resulted to difficulties in providing for our 7 children. It is common for them to be sent home for school fees every week where they spend up to 3 days. In most cases I am forced to borrow from my neighbours to clear the arrears hence debts are the order of the day. Sometimes I even make fake promises to the school that I will pay on a certain date yet I know that I won't make it.
