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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a family man and a tuk-tuk operator. The earnings I get from my business have been inconsistent. To ensure that I have a steady income, that will help me support my two children and wife, I opened a shop in my home area. This, however, I funded using my previous transfers. My brother is the one in charge of its operations. I then opened a hotel using the money I received recently. This, I placed my wife to be in charge. It cost me KES 6000 to put it up. Where I added the KES3000 to the savings I had. I did this because there was and still is a ready market and less competition in the area. My weekly profit from both the shop and hotel business is about KES 1000.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly does very well in looking out for people like me and uplifting our lives through long-term cash donations. To me, there is nothing that they have not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This transfer came in at the lowest point in my life. I was unemployed and providing for my family was a challenge. More often, I would work as a tuk-tuk driver so I may put food on the table for my family. The money not only improved my life but also improved the relationship I have with my family. I used it to add a room in my house, where I bought some wood and cement bags which amounted to ksh1500. Using ksh400, I bought 2chicken, and the remaining amount I spent on food. To add to my list of gratitude to give directly for the funds is the fact that my family was able to celebrate the new year, unlike before, where we only took it as an ordinary day due to financial constraints.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home enjoying some time with my friends when the text messages pinged. When I looked at the phone in my hand and saw that I had received the money I felt like a heavy burden lifted from my chest and I could finally breathe. To know that this was not one of those empty promises many had made to us was a relief. Thank you so much Give directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am very grateful to Give directly as my daily life has changed in that my health and peace of mind have improved. This money is boosting me in areas where thought I would not get any improvement. I had a dream of building my home but how my life was going would have remained a dream. Now thanks to this money I plan on building my home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I took this money and quickly budgeted it to accommodate my daily spending. I prioritized food as I have not had a job since early last year, at the beginning of the pandemic. I bought five packets of maize meal (unga ya ugali) at KES.500 and sugar worth KES.500. I used KES.100 as a transport fee to look for work on that day and only managed to save up KES.50. I want to start saving to buy a motorbike which would be a business and set up my life financially.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been surviving on motorcycle riding for the past three years. This has been the only source of income for my family. The motorcycle I have been operating with is a borrowed one meaning it's something I can't fully rely on. Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means I will be able to purchase my motorbike on credit by first making a deposit of 15 Dollars and paying the balance in equal weekly installments of 30 Dollars for sixteen months. Getting my motorcycle will make my occupation way reliable. Furthermore, I'm planning to boost my kiosk business which has been performing poorly. I will use 20 Dollars to increase the stock which will lead to an increase in sales and profits at the same time. My wife will be responsible for all the operations in the kiosk because she has an amazing experience in operating a kiosk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With all the struggles in my life, sometimes I have those good days and I can't deny this. On a good day as a motorcycle rider, I can make a lot of cash and this makes me happy because at least I can help in attending to some of my family's basic needs such as food and proper clothing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge I am currently facing is the lack of a reliable source of income to support my family. Relying on a borrowed motorcycle has failed me several times to an extent I spend the entire day without earning even a single coin. I get home a frustrated and a hopeless man. Sometimes I start hating myself for the miserable life I am leading. The kiosk I used to rely on as an alternative source of income is performing poorly because whenever I fail to earn anything, we use the commodities from the kiosk and this has really messed up our business.
