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.
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0th Payment
Transfer Amount
0
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had always wanted to buy a motorbike, and I could say it was my lifelong dream. I saw it as the only way out of the charcoal burning business. The charcoal burning business is hazardous to my health because inhaling the smoke for long causes chronic chest problems. I talked to the motorbike seller, and he told me to wait for him, as he would bring the motorbike to me. I had to wait for a few days. I used $548 to pay part of the full amount and promised to pay the remaining balance once I received my second transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I can confidently say that I have now seen light at the end of the tunnel. I used to struggle because I had to take occasional breaks from the charcoal burning business due to health issues. The biggest change I have experienced after receiving the cash is being able to leave the charcoal burning business. I can now focus on a business that does not threaten my health and well-being.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was burning charcoal in the forest at around 4:00 p.m. when I received the transfer message. I read the message and went on with my usual business. I was happy because I wasn't expecting the cash soon, and I knew that my life would finally change for the better. When I got home, I told my wife about the news. My first thought was that I would finally be able to fulfill what I had always hoped to do.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($425 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had always wanted to buy a motorbike, and I could say it was my lifelong dream. I saw it as the only way out of the charcoal burning business. The charcoal burning business is hazardous to my health because inhaling the smoke for long causes chronic chest problems. I talked to the motorbike seller, and he told me to wait for him, as he would bring the motorbike to me. I had to wait for a few days. I used $548 to pay part of the full amount and promised to pay the remaining balance once I received my second transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I can confidently say that I have now seen light at the end of the tunnel. I used to struggle because I had to take occasional breaks from the charcoal burning business due to health issues. The biggest change I have experienced after receiving the cash is being able to leave the charcoal burning business. I can now focus on a business that does not threaten my health and well-being.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was burning charcoal in the forest at around 4:00 p.m. when I received the transfer message. I read the message and went on with my usual business. I was happy because I wasn't expecting the cash soon, and I knew that my life would finally change for the better. When I got home, I told my wife about the news. My first thought was that I would finally be able to fulfill what I had always hoped to do.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Over the past 12 months, I worked at a mining quarry until it closed down officially three months ago. The closure of the quarry left us without jobs, and now I rely solely on a charcoal-burning business to support my family. However, this work is very physically demanding and can be harmful to my lungs, potentially reducing my lifespan. Besides the health concerns, it's also difficult to find customers to buy the charcoal, which sometimes results in my family going to bed hungry. I am deeply concerned about providing for my family of five.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, I took on a casual job to repair someone's house. I put in a lot of effort and earned 7000 shillings. I used 3000 shillings to pay for my children's school fees and spent the rest on stocking up on food. I'm happy that I still have food at home, and this has allowed me to stop doing charcoal-burning work for the past two months. This has brought me a lot of joy and happiness.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am planning to purchase a second-hand motorbike to start a taxi business using the first cash transfer, I will budget the second transfer to buy food stock and indigenous goats. Goats thrive in my area, and I believe I will start goat farming since they reproduce twice a year. This will assist me in meeting some of the needs in my house. I will be making money daily using my motorcycle as a tax because we do not have designated roads from my place, but the motorcycle is the only mode of transport here.
