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 ($445 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?
I intend to expand my tailoring business to a very big workshop to work with my wife and together we can be helping each other. For this to happen, I have planned to join a savings Sacco or a merry-go-round where I can save up for the expansion.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We welcomed GiveDirectly into the village with great happiness and can attest that our expectations of their delivery did not disappoint. I believe everyone concurs with a great job done in every household with no bias or discrimination. I have no complaints since the monetary support I received met most of the family needs I had planned.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My lovely wife had been sickly for quite a while before we received the second transfer and her health had been eating up the small income that I used to make from the casual job I had as a tailor. This money came in at a very crucial moment when we needed it most. Immediately after receiving it, we used $70 for her treatment. I am happy that she is slowly regaining her good health. I further bought myself a sewing machine for $150 that I have been using for my business and making some good income. Earlier on, we had begun a small project of putting up a pit latrine but due to some financial crisis, it stalled. We were able to have it completed and this cost us $100. We had an overdue land debt of $180 which we managed to clear. With the remaining $50 I bought corn flour and other foodstuffs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at work busy with the day's activities. I overheard my workmates talking about the receipt of their initial transfer, though I thought that they were just pulling my leg. On second thought, I decided to check my phone, And that's when I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and excited. I then called my sister and broke the good news to her, coincidentally, she had also received the transfer. I knew that with the transfer money I would be able to realise my goals in a short time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant difference in my daily life is that I was able to start a family with the support that I got. This is the happiest thing that has happened to me. Secondly, Owning a sewing machine is the greatest milestone that I would not have accomplished in a short time. I am forever grateful for the support that brought a total transformation to my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was an assurance that I would be able to bring in a wife and be able to cater for her needs. I had become a laughing stock in the village. I could not raise money for a dowry because I depend on any available casual jobs to earn a living, yet they were not reliable. This was a painful experience but I had no choice but to endure it since I never had the money for the dowry. The transfer was a breakthrough in my life where I used KES 30,000 in paying for dowry. I then bought a sewing machine at KES 15,000 for my wife to start up a tailoring shop. I am forever grateful for the support that gave me hope for a better tomorrow.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I trained as a tailor five years ago. Due to the financial crisis, I have not yet practiced my career. I have been working as an arborist. This job is tiresome and time-consuming. My earnings from this job are as little as KES 10000 per month and cannot fully support all my needs. I plan to buy a sewing machine that will cost me around KES 20000. I also plan to use KES 30000 to buy tailoring materials and fabrics. I will further send KES 3000 to rent a shop around the shopping center for my business. With this, I am assured of attracting many customers around the villages and also the nearby schools around the shopping center and hence getting more profit. Therefore, receiving this money will mean a reliable source of income for me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been saving my money in the village table banking for the whole of last year. By December, I had a total of KES 40000. This brought joy to my life because I used the money to buy a modern bed and mattress. I am now enjoying nice sleep.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial struggles are the biggest challenges that are currently facing. This has forced me to work as an arborist to earn money that will support my family's needs. Considering this income of KES 10000 per month can not fully support all our needs, since I have to take care of my sister and my mother because my father died 15 years ago. We sometimes skip meals and this makes me feel uncomfortable as the man of the family.
