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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by the loud vibration from my mobile phone at around 6 AM. This was an indication that there was an incoming message. Upon checking, I confirmed it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy to receive such a huge amount of money and the fact that it was non-refundable.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Some few months ago my spouse was owning a motorbike but its spare parts got damaged and it could no longer operate. However one of his friends hired him to operate a motorbike and he was paid on commission. Sometimes he could not raise the money to meet the family's needs. So, after receiving the first transfers I decided to buy the new spare parts for the motorbike and it's now operating so well. My spouse is now making some reasonable money because it's our own motorbike and then has enabled him to provide for the family with ease without straining. For me, this makes the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some spare parts of a motorbike at a total KES 30000. Initially, it has been operating but then the spare parts got damaged and it could no longer operate. I also used the transfer on starting a new business of a kiosk at my homestead which is now doing extremely well. The remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a shopkeeper operating a shop in the village. I have wished to own a motorbike to assist me in the transportation of stock to my shop. In addition, my husband will use it as a taxi so that he may a have a reliable source income to supplement my earnings from the shop. Therefore receiving this money means the realization of my dreams in life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always begin my day in the morning by fetching water at the nearby water pan, then doing my household chores like sweeping, cooking breakfast. In the afternoon I open my shop to attend to my customers, the interaction with them gives me pleasure as I always love serving them also It is through that I earn a living. Hence, afternoon is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Failure to meet my desire of owning a motorbike to assist me in transporting my stock due to lack of adequate finances has been my biggest hardship. This has forced my husband to use an old motorbike which has a mechanical problems and requires constant maintenance which is very costly. I am always worried that it may fail to work and at the same time risking his life.
