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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($455 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to open my business because I have been employed in a grocery store for so many years, earning as little as KES 150 per day. My passion is the cosmetic shop and hairdressing. It is my plan and I could not open the business because of financial constraints.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Poverty has been a major challenge in Bomet County. I applaud Give directly for meeting its aim of eradicating poverty. The unconditional transfer has changed the area and changed our living standards. We are not yet where we want, but we are not the same again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my first transfer spent on basic needs like food and furniture, I saved KES 20,000, which I added to my second transfer and paid rent KES 2000 for my business premises for the next three months and bought cosmetic stock with the entire amount. I can also plait from my shop because eventually, I will open a hairdressing parlor to run concurrently with the cosmetic shop. I am thrilled because since I started my business, have been able to support my husband who has been struggling to educate my two children who are in high school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already in bed when I received a notification message on my phone that was around 11 pm. I never bothered checking it because I never expected a message from anybody. On checking on the next day, it was a message bearing great news. I couldn't hide my happiness I went ahead and informed my family members of the news that we had received. This came at a time when we needed the money most. I thank God great support that Givedirectly has given unto us we don't take it for granted but appreciate your efforts.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Starting the charcoal business is my biggest difference since I am now able to cater to basic needs for my family without relying on my husband since he depends on manual jobs which are not promising at times.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the first transfer, I managed to construct a house for my family. Initially, we had a single room which was not enough to accommodate my family so I added another room to make it more spacious for us all this cost Ksh.25,000. I also managed to buy some furniture that was two seats that cost Ksh.6,000 hence making my house neat. I also took the initiative of starting a business selling charcoal at my home center. This startup has picked up after injecting Kshs.6,000 in three sacs which have gradually given me a profit margin of 400 shillings per day. I am so grateful since I no longer depend on my husband to give me money to buy small items in the house since he does not have a stable job. I also bought a calf worth Kshs.13,000 which will grow in the future and provide us with milk. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall be able to have my own business that will be earning me an income regularly. I am currently facing a lot of difficulties providing all the basic needs for my family because I have no income at all. My husband works in a nearby quarry and he manages to get KES. 100 on average daily. We spend the entire amount in buying food that is enough for one meal a day. I admire a situation where we have enough food, savings, and a warm house. This would not be possible soon going by what we have currently. The poverty cycle is quickly catching up with us and it is so worrying. I will spend half of the transfer to set up a business in the nearby town and the other half I shall use it to insulate the house, put some furniture in it and buy a cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is usually hard to come by anything that can give you happiness in this place because of the hardships you go through daily. I was, however, so happy at the end of September when my siblings came to visit us here and they brought us a lot of food and warm clothing for my daughter.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have a young child who needs tender care and good nutrition. As of now, we cannot afford to provide this for her. The house is too cold at night and she keeps coughing. We cannot also afford to provide a balanced diet because of the little amount of money that we are getting. This also affects us because at times when am working in the garden I feel so weak.
