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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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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Celestine's Profile
Celestine's family
Celestine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($461 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After seeing the progress of my business after utilizing the second transfer, I developed a goal that I want to achieve once I get some money. If I get the money I aim to buy more machines for my cyber café business. As of now, it has greatly picked, I get clients to an extent that they queue for the services due to scarcity of computers; I am sure once it is fully equipped even computer lessons will start.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Sincerely, GiveDirectly is an organization that helps people to develop themselves. Initially, I used to hire some cameras if I get a call for video shooting either at a burial or a wedding ceremony. After the shooting I had to hire a machine for me to edit the video; this was a loss-making activity but since the time I got my camera and a computer from the GiveDirectly transfers, I can do my jobs at a profit without hiring anyone’s equipment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the second transfer, I decided to add working equipment to my cyber café business. I bought a laminator machine for KES 6500.00, a set of computers for KES 20000.00 and a video camera for KES 20000.00. These gargets were to aid me to have a proper working environment to serve my clients to satisfaction. I did this because the cyber is my only source of income and equipping it assures its stability.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 am when I was in my house taking breakfast with my family members. My sister-in-law came to my house very excited, I was eager to know why she was very happy and she inform me that she had received her transfer. I left what I was doing to check my phone which was in the bedroom. I felt very happy after realizing that I had received the transfer like others since it was the only hope that I had to improve my husband's business.
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 was able to accomplish the desire of boosting my spouse's career. With the aid from GiveDirectly, I invested the bigger part of it into his cyber business. Currently, he no longer had to hire or borrow the working device. Similarly, the income from his job has increased something that has enabled us to meet our daily basic needs like food easily.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband work in a cyber cafe, I have desired to boost his business so that he may get enough income to support our family since it was negatively affected by the corona virus. I was not able to accomplish this due to lack of adequate capital. After receiving my transfer, I spent my transfer to purchasing KES 19,000 to purchase a new desktop computer, KES 6,000 to purchase a laminator, an Epson l805 printer, photocopy papers, and a variety of stationery. Previously, he had to hire a printer from another cyber that made him lost clients due to lack of enough working equipment. This reduced the income generated from his cyber job something that makes it harder to meet the family need. In addition, I spent the remaining amount to acquire new pairs of clothes for every family member since we had few clothes to change.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband is an IT expert, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, he lost his job. Receiving the money from GiveDirectly will enable us set up an internet cafe which is in line with my husband's profession. By offering the internet services, we will be able to earn an income which will help us cater for our family's needs sustainably.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day. I rest in the evening after doing some farming practices in my farm and also doing house chores which leaves me very tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I faced the biggest hardship in my life when my husband lost his job due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I depend on my husband to provide for me and my two young children. When he lost his job, life became unbearable, we really struggled with casual works in order to earn money to cater for our needs and that of our children.