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
53075 KES ($520 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?
My life is currently different from how it was in that, I managed to start a business. I currently run my own saloon which I started with the first transfer. The income is way better than the low wages I used to get as an employee in one of the saloons in our village. The money I used to get wasn't enough to cater for all my needs. It was even difficult to make future plans with my salary. The nature of payment depended on clients whom one couldn't predict when they could come by.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the idea of giving out unconditional transfers amazes me. We do take small loans from our local institutions but they are normally stressful since one has to make sure they return the money in time or else assets are normally auctioned. This doesn't allow one to take big risks for the fear of not being able to service the loans. With GiveDirectly's, money we were able to take well-calculated risks without fear since the loan was unconditional
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase a cow. It has several benefits that have greatly improved my life. I also managed to boost my business. I had a saloon which I opened using the first transfer. Before then, I used to work in someone's salon but I used to be paid on commission. The money I earn now can't be compared with what I used to get. I can only that GiveDirectly for financial support. I also bought clothes for my children and added more utensils.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness since I now know that my dream of opening a saloon business is soon becoming a reality.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy until I could not believe my eyes when I got an SMS notification showing me that I had received money from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfers to buy a calf, a blow dry machine since I want to start a saloon business, 90 Kg of maize and some timber which I will use in building a house for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is like a dream come true.I am now going to finally start my own salon and also own a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is the evening.The joy of having dinner together and happily as a family is the best part about it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is miscarriage that happenned in 2005.By then we were a young couple and the joy of having a child was cut short it really brought a lot of sadness to us.I was also admitted for over a week and it really strained us financially.
