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 ($427 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As of now, life is not easy. Things are tough due to the high inflation of commodities in the country but I am grateful that I am alive. I aim to start a shop where I will be selling fast-moving items such as foodstuff. This shop will be my investment. To achieve this, I am saving a few coins from charcoal burning which is the main source of income I have. Even though it is an unreliable job, I am optimistic about succeeding in my plans.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life-changing organization. It came to uplift us from the poverty situation we were into another level where we also see ourselves as human beings. I strongly support cash transfer because it makes people choose their preferences rather than being imposed to do things they are not desperate for. Although it is unfortunate that the cows I bought as an investment died of drought but still I am grateful that I received the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon getting the second transfer, I opted to invest by buying some cows. I bought two mature cows for $400. I chose cows since I knew I would get some milk not only for family use but also for sale. Through selling, I would make some money to sustain my family because I was projecting an estimate of forty liters per day and a liter goes for $0.5. Since it was a drought season, I used the remaining amount in buying some food for my family. Unfortunately, the cows died of drought one month after buying them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($515 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy and thanked God for the blessings. With the money I believed that I would achieve all that I longed for but I could not afford.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the pride and happiness I feel for owning a cow. This a good investment for the future because it comes with more benefits.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a cow for rearing as away of investment with the hopes of both having more cows and benefiting from milk in the future when it gives birth. Aportion of the money I saved as I look for a good dairy cow to purchase.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been working as a charcoal vendor for the past 10 years.My wish has been to start a food kiosk business, but due to financial constraints, this dream has never materialized. I am planning to spend 70,000 shillings for the business. This includes paying rents for at least 3 months as I wait for my business to pick well and also purchase the other required materials such as tables. This is going to generate income to my family because in a day I can make a profit of 500 shillings. This will be enough to sustain my family needs such as food. In a day they spend 300 shillings. I will save the remaining amount for my children education. Other than that, I will spend the extra amount to repair the roof of my house which is currently leaking during rainy seasons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day is in the morning.It is at this time when I am energetic and I can continue with my burning charcoal job so that I can provide for my family's basic needs such as food. Unlike in the evening when I too tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a charcoal vendor in our village. This job is energy-draining and earns me 450 shillings per sack. A week can enact without customer turn up, hence making it difficult for me to provide for our basic needs because I do not have any alternative. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest challenge.
