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 ($430 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?
My long-term goal is to buy a piece of land, build rentals and add more sources of revenue so that my children can complete school without straining myself. My husband suports me which I am gratefull.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly calls us from time to time. They politely talk to us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a tailor and I make $10 a day. The money is spent on food for my family. My husband helps with school fees. Receiving this money has helped me stock my business, buy a goat and build a new house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($454 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning hours while fetching some water in a swamp when I heard a message tone from my phone. I immediately checked only to find out it was the transfer of $550 from GiveDirectly. My heart melted in happiness for receiving such an amount on a cool morning and traditionally, getting good news in the morning symbolizes a blessed day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, our daily meal was not a guarantee since the only source was my husband who was a casual laborer. Currently, I am happy because we have two sources of income from the casual labor if he gets any, and from my tailoring business which I started after getting the first transfer. We are living happily as a family because we get our basic needs not like before. I am sure if it were not for GiveDirectly, we would not have reached this stage anytime soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I learned tailoring and I did not have the capital to start my tailoring business, I fully depended on my husband who is a casual laborer. Therefore, we share some views and we agreed I buy a sewing machine to start a new business. The cost of the sewing machine was $100. I also bought some clothes materials for $250 for sale at my tailoring shop. Thereafter, I renovated my house which took $100. I also bought a goat for $20 and used the remaining amount in buying food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My priority is injecting more capital to my tailoring business when I receive this money. I have a small tailor shop which needs a lot of expansion. I will start buy adding more materials and buying one more sewing machine all at a cost of KES 30,000. This will help me earn more income from the shop which will help me with family needs. I also plan to use KES 10,000 to complete part of a a wall of my house which is incomplete. When it rains, water gets into the house through the opening.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I opened a tailoring shop at the beginning of last year. It started at a low note in that I made losses during some of the months. At some point I wanted to shut down the business. However, during the festive season; December, I made almost thrice the income I make on normal months. This made me very happy. I was able to save for school fees for my children, which I paid this week as well as satisfying other needs. I feel motivated as I begin the year.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a tailor within the village and the profit I get in a month is approximately KES 2,000 in a month. My spouse on the other hand is a casual labourer in town and sends me KES 500 in a week. This income compared to the needs of my 5 children makes it difficult to keep up with the tough economic times. Food, clothing and shelter as well as their education is very expensive.
