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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 different than it would have been if I had never received my transfer in that, I was able to uplift my career after purchasing a new motorbike to replace the one that had mechanical problems. In addition, I am owning livestock which is my future investment and supplementary source of income for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done so well in my community by giving out unconditional and nonrefundable cash transfers. This has helped every household to improve their living standard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I depend on motorbike taxi as my reliable source of income. The motorbike that I was using then had mechanical problems which need to be maintained often which is very costly. with these challenges, I decided to sell it out and added the amount I got with my second transfer to purchase a new motorbike. My taxi job has now improved since I no longer spend more money on repairing my motorbike. In addition, my earning have raised hence able to meet my household necessities without much struggle.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1400Hrs when I was on my way home from Bamba. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked, it was the Mpesa message. I was very very happy and I thanked God at heart.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to buy a motorbike. I now own my very own motorbike which means that I can now maximise my pay and my profits, as I no longer have to share my revenue from the bike with anyone.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase a motorbike. I am currently employed as a motorbike rider, whereby I transport people around for some pay. Normally, I share with my employer whatever money I make from the motorbike. Owning my own motorbike means that I will maximise my pay and my profits, as I will have no one else to share the proceeds with. I was very happy that I could finally own my own motorbike.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me open a retail shop at a nearby shopping centre. My spouse will help me run this shop since she has been idle most of the time at home. I have budgeted for 500 USD to start the business. I will also use part of the money to buy 5 goats and 3 cows. This will cost me approximately 400 USD. Livestock will help me get milk for sale and in a few years to come they will have increased in number.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. As a motorcycle taxi operator and a farmer,morning is when I get to do a lot. Most of my clients travel in the morning hours while for farming, morning is the best time to work because of the scorching sun later in the afternoon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life. This has made me sleep hungry on several occasions. I depend on a motorcycle taxi which is not mine. At the end of the day,I have to give the 3 USD to the owner. This leaves me with 2USD or 3 USD depending on how busy the day was. This is never enough to cater for all the basic needs. Sometimes the owner repossess it for sometime leaving me with no money at all to buy food. Such days is when I sleep hungry. I have a wife and one child. It is not easy to take care of their needs with such little income.
