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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I have been able to boost my salon business. Because of this, more people have started coming to my salon than before as they know that they will get more services under one roof. As a result, my income has started increasing and I can now meet most of our needs on time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial transfers instead of deciding what to do for a certain person and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I decided to buy a heifer worth KES 13000. This is because it is an asset that I can rely on in case of financial crisis. In addition to this, I spent KES 20000 to boost my salon business. I bought a blow-dryer, towels, some human hair and wigs. I settled on this so that I can offer different services ranging from washing hair to plaiting hence making my shop to attract more customers. I spent the remaining amount to buy two sets of seats, food and other household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received my first transfers from GiveDirectly, I felt so happy as I knew that I would be able to spend the cash on what I have been yearning for. It wouldn't have been easy for me to raise such amount easily but I thank God for GiveDirectly who delivered on thier promise to us.
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 was able to revive the salon business which I had closed down due to lack of finances. I am glad that now am able to earn some good money from the business and now I can meet my daily expenses without any struggles.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been struggling buying milk when my only cow was not lactating. When I received my first transfers, I bought a cow at a cost of KES 27000 so that I would alternate serving them so that we would have milk throughout the year. I spent another KES 6200 on purchasing food items like sugar, rice and maize for consumption. I also saw that it was good to make our home comfortable and I bought some new furniture at a cost of KES 6000. Am happy that I got these furniture which would have taken me longer to acquire them. I invested KES 15000 on my saloon business which I had closed down when I directed the capital to other neccesities for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means alot to me and my family. We have been planing to relocate our house to a place where it is not mostly affect by flood during rainy seasons. Sometimes when it rains at night, it so disturbing because it gets so cold. I have identified a safer area in my compound but I have not managed to build because of a heavy school fees burden. I will use this transfer to purchase building materials.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a skill of hairdressing and mostly my customers come in the afternoon for my services. It is at this time that I am happy because I will have some income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Payment of school fees has been my biggest hardship. I have one child who is in college level and I have to raise 26,000 shillings yearly and also other necessities like accomodations fee. We were still using retirement benefits of my spouse to educated them but it got depleted 5 years ago. I have been reduced to do casual jobs in the village to raise these huge amounts.
