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 ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My major next goal is for me to expand my business, by also bringing in school uniforms and other school-related outfits, I plan on accomplishing this dream by managing the existing business well. With this, I will be assured of a better income. I am so grateful for the support that acted as an eye-opener in my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly staffs are polite and nice, throughout my interaction with them I did not see anything that was not done correctly. I am grateful for the unconditional transfer that uplifted our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I saw the need of adding more stock to my business so that it can attract more income, I was unable to restock the business due to financial constraints, this is because we fully depend on the business for our daily livelihood, thus I used KES 20,000, I then paid school fees areas for my three children who are schooling where I used KES 20,000, Lastly, I used the remaining amount of the transfer on buying clothes and foodstuffs, I am so grateful for the support that lifted our living standards amazingly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was going about my daily duty of knitting sweaters when my phone vibrated notifying me of an incoming SMS. I didn't pay attention to it because I thought it was one of those promotional messages and I went on with my work. A few minutes later, my neighbor called me over the fence asking me if I have received an SMS of the promised money. I quickly thought of the SMS alert that I just heard on my phone and I hurriedly pulled out my phone from my pocket to check it. I couldn't believe my eyes, I felt so happy and we celebrated with my neighbor giving thanks to God for the blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that we have experienced in our lives since we received the transfer is that we have had some peace of mind. Our children have been able to study in school without having to worry that they are going to be sent away from school due to unpaid dues. They have also been able to get enough food for their consumption. My business too has improved because I was able to get some money to buy more threads for knitting my sweaters.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer in paying school fees for my children. School fee has been our biggest challenge financially and our children are usually sent away most of the time from school. I depend on knitting sweaters to earn a living while my husband works as a casual laborer in a motorcycle transportation business. The money that we earn is not enough to cater to all our needs, that is, food, clothing and to pay school fees. We are so grateful to GiveDirectly for this great help that they have offered to us.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been planning to expand my poultry farming. I currently have 20 chickens that are in a free-range system. Receiving this money means that I will be able to construct a poultry unit and fence it for KES 30,000. I will also add the number of chickens and buy feeds for an additional KES 20,000. By doing this, I will be able to sell eggs and chicken after some time and have a sustained regular flow of income to cater to the basic needs of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a part-time tailor, I spent most of my productive time tailoring clothes for my villagers. The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is the time I get to know the number of customers I will have for the day. The more the orders are made, the more income I will receive on that day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a tailor by profession practicing this for the past 1 year. With little capital to invest in, I am only able to rely on clothes brought by my neighbors for repair. Sometimes when a tender to make clothes is available, I cannot compete with the established tailors as I do not have the financial muscle to buy stock of materials. This has generally reduced my work to just a mere tailor operating within the village vicinity.
