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 reside at my parent's house. I had come of age to rent my own house and due to low income from casual work, I was not able to. I would feel ashamed of myself since most of my agemates have rented their houses yet I was still staying in my parent's house. This is why I chose to rent my own house so that I could finally grow in life. I felt I was stagnant in my father's house. Right now, I pay my own rent and live in my own house just like my friends. It makes me happy and feels so proud of the step I have made in life.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I want to use my transfers to start a small fruit business. Currently, I am dependant on a small income from a sweet business which does not pay much but reliable. It has helped me a lot and I would want to upgrade the business from selling sweets to selling fruits. I know the income will be better than what I get from the sweets business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying household items such as curtains, clothes and bedsheet. The ones I had were old and were not showing a good picture when I had visitors. This is why I chose to buy new ones. The rest of the transfers I used on paying house rent. I had not paid rent yet I had promised my landlord that as soon as I get my transfer, I will pay. When I got the transfer, I did not want to be a liar hence I used the pay rent.
11th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 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?
Even though I do not earn a lot from my maize-roasting business, I am currently in a position to buy some household items that I would not be able to buy if I was not receiving the transfers. These transfers have supplemented my monthly budget and made it easy to cater to my needs such as rent payment which I now do on time. After I lost all my property in a fire accident that burnt down my previous house, I did not find it very tough to get back on my feet, all thanks to the transfers that have enabled me to buy most of the requirements.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I had plans of setting up a new shop business alongside the maize roasting business that I am currently running, but I got an accident months ago where my house burnt down with all my belongings. This derailed my plans because I now have to focus on buying new household items as well as other personal requirements. I still have the plan to set the business in mind, but I know it will take a while before I can achieve it because the business I currently run does not earn me much.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Months ago, my area of residence burnt down together will all my belongings in it which left me with nothing and I had to start from scratch. Most of my transfers after that incident have been spent on new household and personal items including this month's which I partly used to pay my rent and to buy personal items.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 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 because before GiveDirectly came, I depended on the casual jobs which mostly were not reliable, and I was getting little income from it but currently, I am in the business of selling roasted maize in town which I earn a profit of Ksh. 700 on a good day. With this profit, then I am able to cater for my basic needs as well saving some amount. Also, the transfer has helped me in paying my house rent, because before then I could struggle and even defaulting for some months.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I have the skills in plumbing and welding, however, I have not been able to secure an opportunity to work. Thus my new goal, for now, is to save enough money that will enable me to acquire my own tools to work with.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSh 2400 of my most recent transfer to pay for my house rent and electricity bill. I am now at peace having cleared these expenses. In addition, to this, I am currently in the business of selling roasted maize in town. I spent Ksh. 1000 to buy enough stock of maize for sale. I also spent a portion of the remaining transfer to cover for my household needs and saved KES 500 for my future use.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 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 ultimate plan is to venture into a welding business and use the proceeds to buy a piece of land back at home where I can build a home for my family. This will give me so much peace and joy in my heart.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that currently, I have little worries even on the days that I fail to make enough money for bills in the house, this is because I am certain that I will receive transfers from GD and I can plan well with them to sustain me for a longer period.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my recent transfer, I used some amount to pay my rent that had accrued due to lack of money to pay the rent on time. I also bought a bed and also did a little household shopping to sustain me through another week or so. This was of great assistance, without the cash I would have been locked out by my landlord since his patience had run out.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received the recent transfer, I was very happy because I knew finally, I was going to settle my rent arrears and would have some peace while in the house.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I will spend my transfers to expand my roasted maize business. I sell roasted maize for a living. I will spend my transfers to add more maize to my business. Secondly, I will spend my transfers to buy plumbing and welding tools that I can use to employ myself later on. I have training in plumbing and welding but I have never practiced because I do v6 the tools. Finally, I will spend my transfers to pay my rent.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is HIV and AIDS. I am concerned about HIV because I have seen the struggle that people undergo with the disease. This includes adherence to the medication, together with the general health and diet consciousness that follows with it. I have seen my friends and peers go through difficult times of taking these medication with no money to sustain their daily needs, such as healthy meals. My second concern is crime and violence as criminals do harm or even kill their victims. My last concern is family, in terms of disobeying parents. When parents are disobeyed, they feel bad. I would not want to be the reason that my parents feel sad.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambitions are own a large Supermarket in a town like Mombasa. I also hope to have 2 more supermarkets; one in Mathare, and the other one in my rural home in Muhoroni. I like Mombasa because of the nice beaches that are there and the cool ambience. I also feel the market in Mombasa has not yet been tapped fully, for a business like a supermarket.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
My usual day begins at 4:30AM when I wake up, and get ready to go to Marikiti market to buy raw maize for my business. I arrive back home at 6:30 AM and head to the spot where I usually roast my maize. This is at Bondeni road, along Mathare 3A village. I roast and sell maize till I complete all my stock for the day. This is usually around 3:00 PM for most days. I then head back to the house to rest. I take a nap up to around 7:00 PM when I wake up to look for supper. I prepare and have dinner and then I head to my aunt's shop still in Mathare 3A, to assist her cook any remainder of 'chapatis' that she might have for the day. From there, I head back to my house to rest for the night. In my free time, I enjoy listening to bongo music and some traditional luo music. I also enjoy to spend time with my friends.
