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 ($465 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?
After accomplishing the plans I had for the second transfer, I got an entrepreneurial thought that would see me rising from the poverty level to a good standard of living. If I get some money, I am planning to pump more stock to my shop business so that it becomes a reliable one where people will be getting almost everything they will require.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life-changing organization that aims in uplifting the living standard of the less privileged. On my side, it aided me to get a source of income by enabling me to start a business from the transfers that I received from them. To the community, it also enabled so many people to change their lives by securing basic needs like building good houses and getting some food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the second transfer, I had already planned on how o utilize it. Upon withdrawing, I added stock of worthy KES 20000.00 to my shop which I started with the first transfer. The addition of the stock was to make the shop stable and also serve my customers with all the most used items. I also bought four goats for KES 12000.00 and five chickens for KES 1500.00. Having such livestock at home is an asset that can be converted to money at any time a need arise. Thereafter, I bought a solar panel for light provision since we were used to using paraffin which has become very expensive.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 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 I was in the house busy washing my clothes. I heard a message notification on my phone and upon checking I realize that it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received my transfer. I called my spouse to inform him about the good news. We felt extremely happy for receiving the transfer. We together celebrated for receiving the aid that would change our lives for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am self -reliance after starting a kiosk business a reliable source of income for my family. Nowadays, I am able to meet the basic needs of my family especially food without much struggle using the profit from my business. Previously, I was doing casual jobs of charcoal burning which was not a sustainable job. In addition, I was able to complete the land debt something that has restored my peace of mind.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The dream of being a landowner was almost diminishing since I had no money because of my poverty conditions. I spent KES 15,000 to complete the payment of a piece of land that I had bought by failed to complete due to financial challenges. The seller was threatening to resale it to a different buyer something that worried me a lot. In addition, I spent KES 17, 800 to start a small shop business in my house a job that earns me a profit of KES 300 on average per day. In addition, I spent KES 4,000 to purchase a solar battery that I am using to light my house as well as charge phones for my neighbours at a fee of 15 per phone. I also used KES 7000 to assist my husband in paying off a debt that he owes our neighbour.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source of income for my household. Currently, I depend on my husband who is doing charcoal work and his earning is utmost $40 per month. I am planning to spend $400 of my first transfer to start a kiosk that will act as my source of income and I will be assured of getting $5 per day. For the remaining amount of my first transfer, I will expand my house so that it will be spacious enough to accommodate my visitors. With my second transfer, it will help me to buy 10 goats that will act as my long-term investment project.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because it is the only time I can rest. The resting gives me the feeling of happiness. Unlike in the morning and the afternoon hours when am busy doing some household chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a charcoal burner and I am just a housewife. Considering his earning that is usually $40 per month, it is very hard to cater to all of our needs and sometimes we skip meals. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
