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?
It was at 10:15 am in the morning and I was just at home at a funeral. We had lost a beloved family member and we were in a mourning mood. Immediately, I heard a message alert, I checked it and was shocked to learn that it was a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and felt relieved from the financial stress I had been going through because I could not comfortably support my family. I felt so good because I knew that with consultation with my husband, I would start a business that would sustain our family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I began running a general shop, my family has been experiencing a continuous rise in the level of income. As a result, my husband and I have been able to comfortably support our children. The family has experienced a great improvement in their lives. They have presentable and smart clothes and this has boosted their self-esteem. Thanks to GiveDirectly for its kind support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
To raise money for supporting my family, I had been running a salon business. However, it hardly generated a good profit since women in my village rarely seek salon services. As soon as I received my transfer, I spent KES 20,000 on starting up a general shop business. I had been longing for a business that is more profitable although I did not have the capital to start one. I also used KES 3,000 to buy a set of my household chairs. Previously, I did not have any chair and I was just sitting on the floor. Lastly, I bought two goats to begin raising livestock.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are a family of 4.currently am working as a tailor, where I have set aside a room, that I serve my local neighbors doing small repairs. My passion started way back in 2017, before I even got married, and just last year My parents called me back to get back my sewing machine, As per now I don't make do much profits, because I still count it as a startup.
My spouse works a chef in Mombasa, which we depend on him for all our basic needs especially on food and clothes.
Upon receiving this cash transfer, I plan to add more materials, especially school materials, a lot of people travel as further as Bamba to get readymade uniforms. The total cost will run to 35000 KSH and the rest of the money will be used to buy one Dairy cow, that can help us with milk, as a seperate business in our home.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When my parents bought my sewing machine in 2017, I got married and left the machine at home. The other day my father called me to collect my sewing mashine and that he had gifted me officially, it's been my greatest happiness. Its keeping me busy and am self employed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently I can say that I don't have big challenge because my children are not in school yet.so just providing food for the family isn't a big burden.
