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?
Before the transfers, I used to struggle to meet my financial needs. This is because I used to rely on a small income from odd jobs in my area. In most cases, I would have to even beg for what to eat. My major problem was paying my house rent. I did not have a regular income to use in paying rent. I had a lot of quarrels with my landlord on the same. several times I was locked out of the house because I was not able to pay rent. But since I started getting my transfers from GD, I have been able to pay rent on a monthly basis in time unlike before. I no longer hide from my landlord because of rent arrears.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My plan for the transfers is to continue boosting my water business by buying a tank. Currently, I supply water through a kiosk but I rely on county Government water. Anytime there is a shortage, it really affects my business so I plan to buy a tank to store water. This will help when there is a water shortage because I will still have water to supply.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying school requirements such as uniform and books. These are requirements which I had received a letter from school and she was needed with. It was only a matter of time before she was sent home for them. I am happy I was able to buy them before she was sent home. The remaining part of the transfer, I used on paying my house rent. I had promised to clear the balance I had before end month and I did not want to carry forward debts to a new month.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before the transfers, I did not have any source of income which I relied on. I used to depend on causal work which was very inconsistent and paying very little. I tried taking a loan to help me set up a business but due to low credit reference, I was not able to. I was giving up on the idea of starting a business until GD came to my life. I did not know GD would honour their word easily as it happened. When I first received my transfer, I knew God had answered my prayers. I have been using my monthly transfers to boost my business and I know by the time the transfers will stop, my business will be much stable to help me in future.business
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal, for now, is to continue investing in the business by adding more stock. Every month, I will still be inputting more resources into the business so that I can make it more stable and earn more profits from it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on boosting my business. Currently, I am carrying out a small retail shop business which is my main source of income. I would want to make it more stable than it is so as to improve the profits. I will be able to earn a living from the profits which are my income.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The transfer has enabled me to comfortably pay for my house rent as well as paying for my basic needs like foodstuffs and other expenses. Had it not been GiveDirectly helping me to this far, then clearing these expenses would have been a big struggle. Also, I had no savings at all, but since I began receiving my monthly transfer, it has encouraged me to save more every month. This will enable me to venture into other business opportunities in the near future.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to accumulate enough savings that will enable me to open my dream business, from which I will be earning a better income, even when GiveDirectly wraps up its operations in our region.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 3000 of my most recent transfer to pay for my house rent as well as paying for my electricity bill. I am at peace now having cleared the most stressful expenses. I took KES 1000 to pay for my household basic needs like foodstuffs. I saved the rest of the money in my account to help me realize my dream of opening a business come next year.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($49 USD)
access_time over 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 buy a plot and build a house. I am planning to save part of my monthly transfers and also the income from my business and will use the savings to buy the plot and build a house. I will thus save the money that I would have used to pay rent and use to meet other family basic needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have a regular source of income unlike in the past when I used to depend on the little money I get from casual jobs. I used my transfer to start a new business where I sell vegetable oil and the income I get from the business is enough to meet all my family basic needs and pay school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my most recent transfer to start a new business where I sell vegetable oil. I opted on this business because many people have not ventured in to it and for a long time I have struggling to buy food and pay rent with the little money I get from casual jobs. At times my landlord could lock my house when I did not get money to pay rent and this used to be worry. I also used the remaining amount to travel home since my relative passed away.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was so happy when I received my transfers since I received the money at a time when I was not expecting it.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would like to increase my stock of selling second hardware stuff. This is my priority since most of the times i lack money and thus have difficulties to buy stock that will keep my business running. This is my main source of income and having it up and running guarantees me a comfortable and smooth life as I will be able to take care of my other needs. Buying food is my second priority because I have a family and food is a basic need that they shouldn't lack. I will prefer buying food in bulk so as to have constant supply of food in the house. Lastly, I will use the rest of the as pocket money in order to be able to handle or settle any arising issues that i haven'tp planned for especially the county municipal ofgicials who collect tax.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is housing because delay of rent payment results to the landlord locking my house thus leaving my family and i homeless. Paying rent and school fees are a burden since both are done at the end of the month and failure to honor either of them impacts heavily on my family leading to unending stress and conflict between my wife and I.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would love to be a successful businessman so that i can lead a comfortable life. I desire to manage my responsibilities and needs in life without digging into debts and being a burden to others by depending on them to survive.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day begins with grooming up, taking breakfast then rush to open up my business until 1pm then close and report for duty at mashimoni in a hardware shop. I close business at 6pm and return home to attend my group meeting to check on our poultry project, feed the chicken, lock them in and rush home to relax as i await my supper.
During my free time I spend time with my children. I take the to their grandmother's place, play around with them teaching them how to ride their toys.
