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 ($443 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a businesswoman owning a local eatery in a nearby centre, My dream is for me to be able to expand my business to a bigger hotel in our area. Though what is hindering me from arriving at the goal is the school fees responsibilities. But I am trusting God for a financial breakthrough.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has empowered us financially, many broken homes have been mended because of the financially boost that we got. We are glad that the transfer brought unity among us. We are forever indebted for the support that uplifted our living standards. GiveDirectly is professional thus I have not witnessed anything that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I run an eatery in a nearby centre and I am a mother of three children. Upon receiving my second transfer, I thought of using KES 26,000 on expanding my business to attract more customers. This is my main source of income thus expanding it would mean more income coming in. I was unable to expand it before due to school fees responsibilities. I then used the remaining part of the transfer in paying school fees for my children. I am so happy and fulfilled to have achieved a lot in a short span.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 6 am. I had just opened the shop. I run a small fast food shop. I got a call from my neighbor telling me that she had received the money from GiveDirectly. I could not wait to disconnect that call to check mine. When the call disconnected I got a message confirming that I have equally received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and called her back to inform her that I got the money. It was one of the happiest mornings I have ever had in my life. I knew I would be able to boost my business. GiveDirectly has boosted us and enabled us to fulfill our dreams and we are so grateful for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Purchasing more stock for my business is the biggest difference in my daily life. I had always wished to do this but I did not have the money. When I received the transfer I felt so happy and I decided to invest in this business because it has a higher rate of return. I was able to purchase utensils and a Television. Majorly I depend on this business to earn some income to meet household basic and pay school fees for my children. I had always which to own more assets and meet the demand of my customers. Currently, I can meet the demand of my customers including making them conformable. In addition to this, they can entertain themselves since I have a Television. The profits that I get now are much better compared to the previous days when I had not received the transfer. I wish to grow this to a better level and maintain my customers. I am so grateful for the support because were it not GiveDirectly all this could have taken quite some time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to purchase a heifer. This was one of my main concerns because I would be able to get enough milk when it reproduces in the next few months. I will cut the daily cost of buying milk for my business. I sort another KES 20,000 on purchasing some more stock for my hotel business. I am so grateful because I have the utensils and the Television that my customers entertain themselves whenever they visit. For the rest of the money, I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to expand my food kiosk business because at the moment it has detororiated so much due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially before the pandemic, I would make KES. 500 profit per day but as at now I do get KES. 200 only. We are so strained financially now because I am supposed to pay KES.15,000 school fees for my children and the income is too low. We have arrears of up to KES. 25,000 now. We would like to use the transfers to diversify the meals we offer at the kiosk and we hope to increase the income to an average of KES. 1000. This will go a long way in helping us clear the school fees arrears. To cut operations cost at the kiosk also we would like to invest in buying cooking fuel in bulk. We usually buy it on need basis and it is costly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The rain has been consistent for the last 3 months and I am hopeful that the maize I planted are going to mature soon. This gives me a lot of happiness because this will cut on food costs and ensure food security for the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that we are facing at the moment is school fee payment, it gives us sleepless nights because we do not know how to clear the arrears. The cost of living also continues to rise and it makes us unable to afford basic needs like diverse foods for the children.
