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 ($479 USD)
access_time over 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 am dependent. I started my own business. I have a cosmetic shop. Since I started this business I have been able to get money daily which has really helped me to cater to my needs. I have not bothered my friends and parents to chip in my budget. I can proudly say that I have earned respect from my friends. I am glad that they are even able to associate with me closely unlike before when they could only think that I wanted to borrow money from them.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to make sure that I boost my business. I want to do more research so as to know what trends because, with cosmetics, the customers love new fashion. I know that I will be able to reach a point where all the items which be stocked in my shop.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer to start a cosmetic shop. People like beauty products and so they move very fast. Previously, I was working in a hotel and since our clients were unreliable, we never made good profits. When there were no customers, my services were not needed and so I would be sent home at times. I am glad that I started the business because there will be no point in time where I will be jobless. I also saved the remaining amount with the intention of boosting my business and for emergency purposes.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($366 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Initially, I did not have a decent job, I was forced to do some odd jobs which were not consistent and their party was way little to even meet my daily needs. This constantly kept me on toes and I felt like my life was falling apart. Just before I got tired, GD gave through and you can't believe it, I am doing much better.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My desire is to be more independent and focus on my business without having to wait for support from the third parties. This way I can as well support in paying some bills in the house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my recent transfer, I restocked my second-hand clothes business. This has really helped generate more income for my household. I can comfortably foot my bills with much ease as compared to before when I used to earn little capital because of lack of stock.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($200 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I am planning to look for a stall where I can sit and sell. |This is because I have been hawking my products which is very tedious. I am planning to boost my business and bring varieties of ladies products to enhance my profit by attracting more customers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I boosted my cloth business which is earning me a good profit. I am now paying rent and school fees for my child with a lot of ease. I no longer depend on assistance from my parents unlike before when my parents used to do all this for me. I am very happy because I am financially independent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have not had a job and solely depended on my husband who does casual jobs to sustain the family. I opened a second hand clothe business because I did not have a job and I wanted to have an income generating activity. I was motivated to start this business because ladies products are bought on a daily basis and also have female friends who are potential customers.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was in a matatu going to town when I saw the message that I have received Kes 20000 from GiveDirectly. When I checked again, I could not believe and had to call a colleague immediately to confirm if this was true.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to start a new business of a boutique and cosmetic shop. My target customers will be ladies because they are trendy. I am well known in my area and this will provide a ready market for my business and I will get a lot of profit in return. Secondly, I will support my child's education by paying her school fees because it is the best gift I can give out to her. Lastly, I will use the transfer to clear the debt I have borrowed from a friend.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is loosing my job as a waiter in a hotel that I currently work in because this will make my life hard. I will struggle so much with my upkeep, fail to provide food for my child and not be able to pay rent. I may in the end result in borrowing, stealing or engaging in prostitution to make ends meet. I am also concerned with insecurity in my area since, I come late from work at night, and I am forced to board a motorcycle and sometimes the riders are involved in criminal activities which makes me to fear for my life.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to become a successful business woman investing in hotel industry. It is a business that I am passionate about and I have experience in doing it. I would open it in Nairobi central business district because of the influx of people in other areas. This will provide me a ready market for my business and I hope to make a lot of profit.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day starts early in the morning at 6:00am, I take bath, prepare breakfast, then I leave for work by 7:00am. I arrive at work at 8:00am and work until 9:00pm in the evening when I come back in the house and retire to bed. When I am not at work, I relax at home doing house chores. In my free time, I like watching news, movies or listening to music.
