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 ($529 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I was employed before I started getting the cash transfers but I currently have my own business which generates some income. I am a satisfied man because I do not have to depend on someone to employ me in order to make some cash.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Most people in the community became financially independent because they were able to take care of their financial needs without depending on their close kins. There are those who also ventured into small scale business while others built houses for their families. Then there is that category of people who bought animals and paid school fees for their kids.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the transfers to start a small scale business which I have been running to date. I opted to go for a business because I knew very well that it would sustain me even post the period when the transfers have been stopped. I am glad that so far it has kept my family going. Apart from that, I also bought two cows which were sold to me at a cost of Kes 28000. Mostly the cows will come in handy during the cultivation season.
whatever remained went into the purchase of new clothes for the rest of the family members as well as purchasing food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I can now easily afford the basic needs in my house such as food, unlike before when I used to struggle a lot to make ends meet. My shop is now doing well and I make enough to provide for my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home on that day at around 11:00 AM when I heard a message come into my phone. I checked the message and it was the transfers. I was so happy and filled with joy and I informed my wife of the news. I also knew there and then that I would finally achieve my goals of expanding my business and opening up a new one. I immediately went to Mariakani town to withdraw this cash.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfers to purchase a cow. I hope that in two years time, my cow will have matured and I can sell it at a better price. Secondly, I spent my transfers to buy a DVD machine for my video shop. I own a video shop in my town where clients pay to watch movies. The DVD machine in the shop broke down and I received the transfers just in time to replace it. Finally, I spent the remaining of the transfers to open up a shop in my village in Kadziweni where I live. I opened up a shop that stocks commodities like flour, sugar and soap. In my village, shops are located at far distances. I saw this as an opportunity to bring these commodities closer to the people in my village, as I also make an income out of it.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am currently operating a video show in Mariango center, and the equipments am using in there are not mine. It has always been my greatest desire to fully own the business one day and am hopeful Give Directly is coming to my aid. Receiving this money means am going to acquire full ownership of the business and more returns will be coming my way. In addition, the house am living in right now is not complete. I still need to do partitioning and other final touches. The open windows have subjected my one-year old child to cold. I want to live a better life in a livable house and proceeds from the business will cater for this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. In most cases, I spend my evenings attending to customers at my video show. This is what I enjoy doing most. Entertainment is food to anyone's soul, and making people laugh is so gratifying.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of sustainable income has been the biggest hardship in my life. Constant harassment from police officers and others County officials has made by video show business stall. Everytime I make some good strides, they always find a way of bringing me down. Even my customers are shying away due to fear. It has been a struggle to me to provide basic necessities to my family, and at some point I contemplated on closing it down. After losing my cows to drought, I thought this was going to be my springboard to success.
