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 ($463 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?
I am planning to enlarge my tailoring business to pay school fees and feed my family as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to give us cash. For example, since I received the transfers I have bought a sewing machine and now I am self-employed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving my second transfer, I spent KES 19,000 on a 3, 000 liters water tank. This is because getting drinking clean water was quite far about an hour away. I also used to carry water on my back which was tiresome. But after purchase of the water tank, I no longer go to the river because it's now filled with rainwater.
Secondly, I used KES 4,200 for six bags of cement on cementing my veranda and KES 3000 on labor costs. This is because I am currently using my veranda as my tailoring room.
Thirdly, I spent KES 6,000 on increasing my tailoring stock. This is because earlier I didn't have the capital to buy the required materials. In a day I used to get a profit of KES 200 per day but after the transfers, I now make up to KES 500 profit a day.
Furthermore, I also spent KES 800 on increasing my fresh milk stock. I also spent KES 4,000 on a bag of maize and KES 3000 clothing. Lastly, I spent KES 1,200 on poultry. I also rely on maize, and beans farming for food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 12 midnight when I woke up and while checking time on my phone I had received KES55000 from GiveDirectly at around 11.30 pm that night. I was very excited and informed my husband of the good news and we good hardly sleep the latter part of the night.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is self employment because from the sewing machine I bought using GiveDirectly transfers I now have a daily income. This has helped in easily catering for basic needs and household items. Initially, I used to rely on sale of sour milk in order to feed my family but it was quite tough.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES18500 on a sewing machine because I had done a sowing course but couldn't afford to buy one. This will act as an additional a source of income for my family. I also spent KES 10000 on building an extension room for my sewing business. I also spent KES8000 on three sofa set seaters and the rest on two sacks of maize at KES6600.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a housewife and my ambition has been to start and run a business in the nearby center and lead an improved life. After my primary level education, I went to vocational training and learned how to knit clothes. I feel I should use this acquired skill to earn a living. I, therefore, intend to buy a sewing machine using the first transfer which costs approximately KES 20,000 to start me off. The need to run this kind of business was triggered by the fact that there is no other in the village. This will be an advantage on my side because I will monopolize the business. I am glad that soon I will materialize my dream. Therefore, receiving this money means a diversified sources of income in my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the previous month, when I heard that GiveDirectly was making entry in to our village, I couldn't hide my joy because I knew we will soon lead an improved life. We have been struggling to make ends meet through casual labor but in vain. Having sleepless nights thinking where to get food for the next day has been a welcoming arrogance in our lives. We therefore intend to cautiously use the transfer to better our living standards.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial inadequacies are the challenges we are currently facing as a family. My husband is a hired driver within and outside the village. The job itself is hard to come by and when luck knows, he gets an approximate wage of KES 300 a day yet we rely on him for upkeep. As a family, we have no stable sources of income with no savings and this is risky especially when an emergency arises. I have 4 school-going children who are all in primary level, and what he earns as income is unsustainable. I, therefore, intend to run a business to supplement what my husband gets as income.
