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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, I am my own boss which is a magical difference in my life. My first benefits from GiveDirectly helped me to start a shoe business that earns me a daily profit of 500 KES. Before I could struggle to do causal jobs such as transporting goods in the streets and this job was engaging. More so an assurity of getting it on a daily basis depended on chances meaning at times I could even get a deal once or twice a week. It was so challenging raising my household daily needs with such an unreliable source. With the new business in place, it has helped me to carter for my needs without taking a lot of loans from friends and impacted my self-reliance.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My aim is to expand the shoes business that I had started with GiveDirectly's transfers this is through restocking on a monthly basis with GiveDirectly's transfers so as to attract more customers with quality trendy designer shoes.I am certain of getting profits when I do this business because it is what I have desired for a very long time and as ,I speak, I am assured of getting a profit of 500 KES on a daily basis .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger potion of my most recent transfer to boost my shoes vending business the I had started with my first transfer my aim is to expand this business since it sustains me more compared to the casual job such as riding a carts which were unreliable and could not guarantee me a daily income hence I am determined to have this business up and running. I also bought food and household expenditures with the remaining amount .
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different because, for a long time, I was employed by a neighbour to help her run her business of selling second-hand clothes. When I started receiving money from GiveDirectly, I resolved to save sufficient money to start my own business. I am glad that I now operate my own business which is currently my only source of income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am currently selling shoes and some second-hand clothes in town. This is a business that I started through the GiveDirectly money. My goal now is to improve this business by adding more stock to it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 4000 of my most recent transfer to clear part of a loan that I took for my children's school fees. I paid for them to allow them to continue with their studies without any interruptions. I spent the remaining amount to add some stock to my shoe-selling business.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I currently do not have any new goals but I am looking forward to owning a home to exempt me from paying rent and even allow me to have more privacy in my home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I could not save initially because the income I earned could not allow me to put aside some amount for future use. It was generally hand to mouth. Now I am able to save and even pay school fees for my siblings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received this transfer, I saved 1/5 to a merry go round, 1/5 on household shopping this was to replenish the stock of good that had gone down and the remaining amount was spent on purchasing a goat to act as an investment in kind.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received this money I was filled with joy and summoned my household for a word of prayer to give thanks for the favor we had received.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I will use this money first to invest in my own clothes selling business and this will make me financially independent and save me from the everyday hustles of job hunting.
I will also use money to buy some livestock like goats which in future will help me greatly.
This money will also help me in paying for my rent on time since from my casual jobs at times I do lack even money to pay rent.
Describe your biggest worry.
My most troubling worry is always about paying for my rent in time. I am casual salesman and the money I do get is too low and at times I do lack totally making me unable to pay for my rent at all or not in time.
I also do worry about meeting some of my daily needs and meeting other obligations since as a parent and a father I always need to give money for food for our children who is with their mother that we separated with and I also always have to provide for their school fees.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition is to be successful in life by having my own job or business and be able to move away from ghetto/Mathare and raise my children in a better and improved lifestyle than the one I had while growing up.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
In my usual day, I do go to Githurai where I work on casual basis as a salesman for my boss who owns clothes and stocks. I always arrive there by 7:30 in the morning upto around 7:30pm at night.
While at my free time I do relax in the house or at times take a walk around the entire Mathare area looking for potential area of investment if I get money one day.
