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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from the way it was before Give Directly came into my life in that I have been able to buy household items with ease. I am now at peace because most of my problems have been solved. My health has also improved after using my third transfer for medication. I rarely went to work because of my medical condition but now I am glad that I have fully recovered and can operate normally like I used to before I became sick. This has improved my financial status because I work throughout the week unlike when I was unwell where I could be forced to work twice or three times a week to get income.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to take a short course in masonry. I have been doing the work out of having the talent and experience from my parents but I would really love to have professional skills which will even help me one day to start my workshop. I am certain of passing my exams and when this happens, I will able to get a certificate which will help me look for jobs at high institutions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of my transfer on treatment. I have been sickly and my wife was also unwell during that period. Getting this money was a miracle because it came at a time that we needed it the most. We actually used the whole amount to pay for our medical expenses. Life has changed since then because I got well and I have been able to go for casual jobs every day which was impossible before. I could at times struggle and try to work for two to three days a week but now I have recovered fully and is available to work anytime. My wife is also well and she can easily go about her duties with ease. I really thank GiveDirectly for changing my life.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($366 USD)
access_time over 5 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 currently different in that I have acquired some of the items that I did mot have in the past, for example the sofa sets that I bought using my transfer. I no longer struggle to pay rent and buy food since I used my transfer to pay rent for three months and also bought food which will last me for two months. Thanks Give Directly for the cash transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to start a new business where I sell second hand clothes and shoes. I will use my third transfer to start this business. This will be a regular source of income to meet my basic needs since currently I depend on casual jobs and the money I get is little and for a long time I have been struggling to meet my basic needs such as food. At times I could go the whole day without food when I did not get money to buy food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my most recent transfer to buy sofa set since for a long time I have longing to have the seats but I have never got the money to buy. I used to depend on casual jobs and the money I got was little and could not meet all my basic needs. I also bought clothes and shoes because the ones I had was old and worn out. I also used the remaining amount to repay loan which I had borrowed from Tala and bought food since I did not have enough food in my house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($200 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to boost my cloth business. This has been my source of income which has supported me and my family. I would still want to invest in it because it will be able to sustain my life from the profits. If I have a good stock, I will be able to get a good income to handle all my financial needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have a new mattress. I have been sleeping on a mattress which has been more like a mat. It has been very old and weary and I have been having sleepless nights due to it. Right now, I feel very happy and whenever I feel sleepy, I don't get worried about the condition of my mattress. I thank GD for bringing this big change in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my first transfer on paying my college fees. Last year I registered for carpentry training. I used part of the transfer to pay for half of the total fees required so that I may be able to start classes as I wait to clear the balance with the next transfer. Part of the transfers I also sent to my mother as a token of KES 5000 for her upkeep and the remaining part I used on buying household items such as food and a new mattress which I really needed. I used to sleep on a thin and very old one.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I could not believe my eyes. I had to re-read the message thrice and check my Mpesa balance twice to confirm that for a fact I had received money from GD. It was a moment of joy for me.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to go back to school and have a course as a mason. I work on construction sites and I would want to acquire masonry skills because its marketable due to devolution in our country and infrastructural developments in county governments. I will also open a hardware shop in my neighborhood because there is none. The demand of equipments for construction is high and is profitable. I will also furnish my house because the furniture's I have are old and worn out.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because I will be unable to cater for my basic needs that includes paying rent or have food on the table. I will be unable to have proper medical if my health is compromised and this can result to being a burden to my family.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a foreman in construction sites. This makes me happy to see a complete building that i have been able to see it through. It is well paying and can help sustain my needs to live a good life.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day starts early in the morning at 6:00am when I wake up. My work depends on the previous day if I am informed about work in any site by friends. If there is work I leave my house in the morning and return back in the evening at 7:00pm. I visit my friends where we have a public toilet as a group and find what has happened in the neighborhood. I have supper in a nearby kiosk then go back to my house at 8:00pm then I retire to bed. When I am not in work, I sell water in the public toilet we run as a group. In my free time I love watching movies or watching football as I support my favorite team Arsenal in a nearby video entertainment or listening to music.
