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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I never received the transfer because I now own a business unlike before when I used to depend on washing clothes for people. This has enabled to cater for my needs on time and also to support my mother and siblings by paying their school fees. I was not able to do this before because the little money I used to get from my daily hustles was not even enough to feed my daughter and I. Having a stable source of income has always been my dream and I thank God for using GiveDirectly to help me fulfill this. I am glad that my business is now doing well coursey of GiveDirectly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
The new goal for my life that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is to open a restaurant. This is because most people in my region usually eat in restaurants due to the nature of their jobs. Most get out of their houses early in the morning and go back late in the evening and the only place they can take their meals in is in the restaurants. I will use my savings from my current business and my next transfer to start this project. I believe that by starting this project, my life will totally change forever.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I do a business of buying and selling firewood. Because of this, I spent part of my most recent transfer to add some stock since its demand had risen. I settled on this because so many people who are brewing alcohol use firewood for energy and few people in my region do this business. I had some fears of making losses when I first ventured into this business but all have now been wiped out of my mind as it proved me otherwise and I am glad that I settled on it. I am now glad because my daily income has increased since I have many customers and this has enabled me to meet my needs on time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($200 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to start a new business in making fries. I intend to buy a frying pan, cooking oil and all the other necessities using the money I received. This business will drive my life as I will rely on it to meet my needs and grow economically.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is we get more from my mothers business. This is because I gave her KES 10000 to boost it. having more firewood in her yard means more sales and hence a higher income. This has made enabled her to meet our daily needs better. We are able to get food from the profit she makes
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my recent transfer, I gave half the amount to my mother to boost her firewood business. Firewood in my community really sales as most households use firewood to cook. The remaining amount I bought a jiko and a frying pan in preparation of a fries business that I want to start.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received this transfer, I was very happy because in my entire life I have never received such a large amount of money. I knew that change had come my way.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My plan is to open a new business so that i can be self dependant so that i can support my kids education and be able to pay rent and provide food for my family
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is daily sustenance because I have children who I feed every day,still struggling to achieve my ambitions through starting my own business so that I can be able to pay rent and provide for food.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambitions is to be self sustainable by opening my own business to support my family and improve my way of living because life has been hard and i don't want to be employed by other people
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I spend my day at work serving people because l work in a hotel in Eastleigh area Nairobi, that is the only way I make my livelihood, after work l go straight to my house spend time with my kids and on my free time i go to church and interact with my friends to sing and pray.
