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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would like to dig a borehole and use the water for irrigating my crops. Using tap water is expensive.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly sending us money directly to our account and with no middlemen the intended money reach to us. I am grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $200 on buying chairs that I plan to start renting whenever the villagers have ceremonies or meetings. I also bought a big sauce pan that I would also rent out. I retired back in 2021 and since then I have not received my pension money. It has been difficult to survive without a salary since I was used to it. My husband has been helping out and I am thankful. Receiving this money has enabled open a business that will generate an income for me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($479 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 8 PM when I was from taking my evening meals when my mobile phone started to ring very loudly. I did not bother to check since I used to receive random Safaricom messages every day. However, a few minutes later, there was a notification and that is when I opted to check. I was so happy after realizing that it was from GiveDirectly, I had finally received the first transfers that I had patiently been waiting for. Due to the excitement that we had, we could not afford to sleep.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the cash transfer has empowered me to revive my retail shop. Since it was our major source of income it was so stressful, especially the time that I had run out of stock and I did not have any cash to restock it. The coming of GiveDirectly into my life has brought hope for the business being prosperous. I am thankful because currently, I have been earning good returns since I have sufficient stock. I have been able to settle all my bills timely such as paying fees for my two children. In addition, I have been able to provide for my family with ease unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of my first transfer on expanding my retail shop business which I have been operating for the last three years. This has been my main source of income and I was worried that it was almost collapsing. This was as a result of the insufficient capital and the little profits that I used to earn. I could use all the profits, especially for my family's needs. The money came in good time because it had reached a point that I had decided to close it down which would again my whole family. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for this help since it meant a lot in my life.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to be a teacher but I retired last year in December. I then decided to start up a business offering vegetables and general shop products. The business is doing great, I'm just looking to expand when I get this money. This will help me shoulder the burden I currently have of supporting a couple of siblings and a grandchild. I would not want to do that with my pension.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I officially retired last year December, my fellow teachers organized a surprise farewell party for me. They invited me to staff room with my husband without giving me any information. When I got there it was a big one! They gave me so many presents and even offered to escort me with them. I was extremely happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been running a kiosk in the village since I retired last year December. This business offers vegetables, general shop products and other essentials. The area has potential but the challenge is low economic status of my clients. They mostly can't afford products so they end up borrowing. When a number of them does this at the same time, I end up with very little money to bring more goods.
