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 ($470 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'm planning to a buy a dairy cow because currently in our place is a dry spell and the cow dairy cow I have is unproductive hence has low selling price.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to give such a lump sum directly to an invidual via mobile phone making it easily accessible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my recent transfer on boosting my Mpesa business because it's one of my income source and the rest on school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On this day, I was at home working on the farm. It was an amazing surprise when at 9 a.m I received a message notification that I had received KES 55,000. I was extremely happy as I could finally afford to meet my family's basic needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving this cash transfer, I could not afford to meet my family's basic needs. This was especially so because I was unemployed and had no source of income. This situation caused a lot of stress for me because I felt like I was letting down my wife and daughter. So it was such a relief when I received the cash transfer from GD. I was able to set up a business where I sell milk in my neighbourhood. From this, I can make a profit of KES 700 a week. I can now cater for my family's needs, especially food. I'm so grateful for this donation from GD.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It was a frustrating situation for me when I could not afford to pay my wife's fees for secondary school. Being unemployed with no source of income, I had no money to cater for my family's basic needs, education. So when I received this transfer, I spent KES 15,000 on school fees for my wife's final school term. Since we had no furniture in the house, I also spent KES 7,000 on buying two chairs. Finally, I spent KES 32,000 on starting a new business where I sell milk. I'm so glad that I can now earn money to meet my family's basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a graduate and I would want to be self employed.Nowadays its very difficult for one to secure formal employment.Receiving this Money will mean that my fear of getting a good job is secured.I plan on starting up a business of buying and selling household goods and combine it with M-pesa business.My father had given me one of the shops that he lets out but I lacked capital to start up the business. This will be the best opportunity for me to fulfill it.It will cost Ksh 50,000 on M-pesa and Ksh 40,000 to buy other stock. At the end of every month I will be earning enough money to pay for my wife's school fees and also cater for other family needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up in the morning and prepare to go to work until evening when I return back home. I am always happy in the evening because I can account for the day and know that I will put food on the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of good employment opportunity. I work at a local milk cooler and earn a monthly income of Ksh 6,000 per and this is not enough to cater for my family needs. My wife went back to high school and I am paying for her school fees this means I also have to hire someone to take care of my 4 month old baby. This strains me alot and I struggle to make ends meet financially.
