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.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I received the transfer, my charcoal business has really improved from a small business it was where I was dealing with a little stock of only two to three bags of charcoal to its current state where I now handle up to 30 bags. This has had a great impact on my income which has also improved a lot as I now make more profits than I did before. I have also managed to clear most of the debts I had before I got enrolled in the program which I had to take due to my low income that was not able to cater to all my needs forcing me to borrow money to supplement my budget. I now have an easy time providing for my family through my flourishing business and have no worries of being kicked out of my rental house for delayed rent payments or my children being sent away from school for lack of school fees.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
At the moment, I do not have any additional plans but to ensure that my charcoal business runs smoothly and improves with time. Being a single mother, I have a lot of family obligations and a duty to ensure that my children are well taken care of and their school fees paid on time. This charcoal business is the only source of income I have and I need to its success so that I can achieve my dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money I received most recently on my son's school fees and other school supplies as he was just joining high school. Being the last transfer I was to receive from Give Directly, I invested most of the money on my charcoal business by adding more stock to improve the business and make it stable for as long as possible. As the money was sent around the Christmas festive season, I also spent some of it on personal items such as clothing and shoes for my children as early Christmas gifts. The rest of the money was spent on foodstuff and other household requirements.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
37152 KES ($361 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?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that my business is doing well because I managed to boost it using the transfer. The idea of boosting my business was a great one because today I get enough profits that I use to take care of my needs easily. I also no longer lend from the distributors and repay back later which had always been a challenge.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goals are; to boost my business and ensure that I pay school fees for my children next year on time. As a window, the household expenses has been a challenge because my business was on the verge of collapsing. Stabilizing it will be a good idea which will even help me to pay school fees for my children regularly since I do not want to see them being sent home due to fee arrears.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer on boosting business. I normally sell charcoal. This is what we depend on for food, rent, and other needs. I wanted to take a loan to restock my business but I am glad that the money came in handy. Besides restocking my business, I decided to set side 5000 KES which I will use to pay school fees for my child who will be joining high school next year. The remaining amount was spent on clearing school fees for my four of my children and doing shopping in my house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($194 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to save enough for my child who will be joining high school next year. I do not what to see my child drop out of school because I did not play my part. I want her to study peacefully without any distraction. I also want to boost my business. It is the only source of income that will support me once Give Directly have finished giving us the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have peace of mind. My business is now doing well after I boosted it using the transfers which I got from Give Directly. My children have now gone back to school after the business picked. I feel proud having taken them back to school. I had sold most of my household items including my television set and was left with nothing else to sell just to see my children go back to school. Were it not for the help that I received from Give Directly, they would have stayed at home for another one month as I look for another option which was not even forthcoming. I can only thank GiveDirectly for restoring my faith of living a good life again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a large portion of my transfer to boost my business. I normally sell charcoal. I added fifteen bags of charcoal using these transfers. The business was on the verge of collapsing because I squandered all the profits since it was the only source of income. I knew that when the business is doing well I will be able to take care of my needs easily that is why I decided to boost it by buying more charcoal. Apart from that, I also paid school fees for my three children who had stayed at home for a month due to fee arrears. When I see my children go to school like other children, I feel happy and proud as a mother. There are no words to explain this feeling. I can only thank GiveDirectly for changing my life because my children have gone back to school and my business is now doing well.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was overwhelmed with joy when I realized that Give Directly had sent me the first transfers. I got the message while in the hospital. My child was sick and had just rushed him to the nearby hospital. I remember smiling to myself and when I looked up, I realized people were looking at me. I first thought of my collapsing business and school fees for my children who had stayed at home for a month due to fee arrears. I knew that all these problems were already solved.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to open a cosmetic shop in Mathare. Women in Nairobi worry a lot about their looks and they invest in cosmetics to look better.Using cosmetics especially makeup is one way of building ones self esteem and confidence,that is why cosmetics are highly marketable and profitable and my income will increase from the sells.I will be able to make a living from this and provide for my family.
Secondly I will expand my charcoal business by adding more stock. I will sell in a larger scale and my income will improve.
Lastly as a single mother and a widow I struggle to provide my children with basic needs especially paying for their school fees in time. My first born son is about to join high school next year and I have been worried that I will not have enough money to pay for his school fees. i want him to finish all his educational levels and get a good job in future. I will use part of the transfer to pay for his school expenses come next year.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is gang violence/crime and drug abuse because I live in an area where drug abuse is rampant. My area of residence is in Nigeria in Mlango kubwa Mathare. Young men and women have engaged in drugs abuse and I fear for the future of my children. There are plenty of used injections left all over the ground,children might use them and this is very dangerous. There are various gang groups who terrorize the residents and almost every night police arrests and killings happen here. I do not want my children to ever face such challenges in life and that is why I want the best life for them.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in life is to be a responsible mother to my children, provide them with all the basic needs especially quality education. I am a widow and its very hard for me as a single mother to provide for all their needs. I work two jobs just to make ends meet. I want my children to prosper in their education and be important people in future. I will work hard and succeed in my business of selling charcoal and cosmetics. This will lead to an increase in profit and my income will grow. I will be able to sustain my finances and provide for their basic needs.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake up early prepare breakfast then take my children to school.I go back home and do my house chores until around 9:00am when I go to work. I work with the Nairobi City County as a cleaner in my area of Mlango Kubwa Mathare. I normally Clean the drainages and collect garbage. I do this until evening because I barely have time for lunch. At 5:00pm I start selling charcoal and I also cook my supper there. I work until 10:00pm then head home and retire to bed.
During my free time I go to church and spend time with my children at home.
