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
55000 KES ($460 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?
Due to the high cost of living, I opted to spend my transfer on buying food for the family. In addition, I managed to acquire primary needs for my family. Immediately I accomplished what I had set, I developed a new goal of starting and running my own business. As a result, I set aside KES 15,000, which I later used to start a business. It has enabled me to earn KES 300 per day. The daily profits help me meet my family's needs more comfortably than before, and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Since GiveDirectly enrolled its program in our area, I can attest that it does well in doing frequent follow-ups with all its beneficiaries. An act that enables us to build our trust in it as opposed to other institutions that are always full of fraud cases. During the follow-ups, the kind of information that GiveDirectly shares are critical in ensuring that our Mpesa safety against fraudsters is well adhered to. Through frequent follow-ups, it easily monitors the impact it creates on society. There is nothing that it does not do well that I have so far observed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the high cost of living, I opted to spend my transfer on buying food for the family. In addition, I managed to acquire primary needs for my family. Immediately I accomplished what I had set, I developed a new goal of starting and running my own business. As a result, I set aside KES 15,000, which I later used to start a business. It has enabled me to earn KES 300 per day. The daily profits help me meet my family's needs more comfortably than before, and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning hours while I was at my daily casual hustles when I heard people talking about the GiveDirectly transfers. By then, I had not checked my phone yet. I became curious and secretly asked my class six child who had accompanied me to check for me. The child confirmed that I had also received the the transfer. My heart was filled with joy and appreciation though I contained myself not to make people know that I had received mine. Due to the happiness, my child requested me we leave for home since we were working for money and we had received a huge amount. I declined the request and we worked till evening then we left for home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can attest is that, initially my business had collapsed but after getting the first transfer from GiveDirectly I was able to revive it. Currently I have an income-generating activity which will aid me to carter for my family needs. This revival could not have taken place if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was paying school fees for my two secondary school children because they have been on and off school due to school fees. To curb this, I paid KES 20000.00 for them. I also decided to revive shop business which collapsed some months ago after using both the profit and the capital in buying some food for the family. In this business, I opted to restock it with some items worthy KES 15000.00. Thereafter, I bought one goat for KES 3500.00 and used the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting my own business. It has been my dream to own a retail kiosk, with money from GiveDirectly this dream can come to reality. I plan to replenish stock to serve all village customers, we do not have shops nearby and this will be an opportunity to curb all villages. The revenue I will get from this kiosk will help me clear all my fee balances for my 7 children how are still in primary school. With the second transfer, I will enroll my firstborn female who completed her secondary education in a driving course which is her dream carrier. I will be happy to see my 7 children studying well without fee arrears.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With the pronged drought in my area, I reared 15 cows, most cows from neighbors died but I thank God all my cows are still safe. Taking them to the field to graze bring me joy knowing I still have investment for my 7 children. This week rain has started dropping in my area this gives me hope my cows will all survive.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My health status is challenging me currently, I have been on and off being admitted to hospitals because of ulcers and low blood pressure. This has made me not work and depend on my husband who is a retired primary teacher. I fear what will happen to my 7 children if my health will continue deteriorating. This worries me what will tomorrow look like with my situation.
