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
53150 KES ($465 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 do have new goals in life but my aim at the moment is to stabilize my clothes business. I am currently monitoring the flow of profits and market demand. Once it stabilizes, I am planning to renovate our current house to a more decent one. I will change the mud walls into timber and also cement the floors. By doing this, cleaning it will be easier and less time consuming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by making the financial aid that they gave us unconditional. Because of this, we were able to achieve our goals according to our priorities. The fact that they also educated us during enrollment on how best we can spend our transfers made us make wise decisions that have enables us to transform our lives. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to sell clothes and get paid on commission before GiveDirectly came for enrollment and on receiving my second transfer, I decided to spend all amount to start up my business. I sell all kinds of ladies' clothes and I move from one village to another selling them to maximize on my sales. I settled on this since I knew how profitable it was and the benefits of being self-employed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home when I heard my neighbors shouting that GiveDirectly had sent the promised funds while celebrating the good news. On checking my phone, my heart was filled with happiness as I was among the lucky ones. Having this money in my account made me know that we would finally achieve our goals as a family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to spend KES 50 daily on milk apart from other basic needs like maize flour and cooking fat. I am glad that this is no longer the case as I now get milk from the dairy cow that I purchased using part of the transfer and we also still have some maize since I was able to purchase three sacks. Due to this, I have been able to track the profits from my clothes business since I spend less unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I purchased a dairy worth KES 33000 upon receiving my transfer. I settled on this so that I will be able to save the money that I would otherwise use in buying milk when it reproduces. Also, I will be earning some income through the sale of milk after setting aside some for our consumption. The festive season was fast approaching when I received this transfer. People in my region usually celebrate it by buying new clothes and making delicious meals. I am glad to be among those who celebrated since I spent KES 21000 from the transfer on food, clothes, and shoes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I want to be a medium-scale poultry farmer so that I supply eggs to the nearest town because there is a big demand for eggs. Receiving this money will mean starting poultry farming in this village. I plan to build a chicken house with KES 20,000 then buy 100 chicks for KES 200 each with the first transfer. The rest of the money I will spend on chicken feeds and vaccines. In about 1 year I can get an average of 80 eggs per day which will earn KES 800. I will be very happy to see that Give directly is going to boost me to achieve this desire.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In June this year, I secured a casual job after staying for close to 8 months at home without any revenue. The life we currently live with my family has greatly improved. Previously, we used to sleep on a hungry stomach most of the days or at least afford only one meal a day but nowadays, we can have an average of two meals per day. This has brought me peace and happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am employed as a casual laborer at someone's shop where my work involves carrying heavy luggage to and from the store. The work I do is very tedious and earns me only KES 200 per day which is not enough to cater to my family's needs. At the same time, I support my grandmother who is very old and can not do anything to earn a living by buying her food and catering for her medication because she is sick. This makes me struggle a lot financially, sometimes I can not attend to emergencies that arise like hospital bills.
