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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Pendo's Profile
Pendo's family
Pendo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
33
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($462 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?
After withdrawing and utilizing the second transfer, I developed another goal that I desire to accomplish once I get some money. My dream of becoming a livestock farmer will be complete if I buy some cows. Since I already purchased some goats using the first transfer, I aim to buy cows if I get some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life uplifting organization that helps people to equip themselves with activities that helps to acquire income. Personally it helped my family to have two different businesses and they are all pumping income to the family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the second transfer, my husband and I had already planned on how to utilize it. First we used KES 20000.00 to Start a cafeteria business. This business would aid our family to have a source of income and I decided to be in charge of this business. We also bought a motorbike for hire purchase by paying a deposit to KES 25000.00. This motorbike is being operated by my husband in a charcoal business where he supplies sacks of charcoals from the field the customers. We opted to do two different investments to as to have good income in running our family. Thereafter we used the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
 
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 felt so happy the moment I received the money because it was going to help me achieve the goals I intended and desired to achieve which included settling my children's school fees, repair the roof of my one room and buy food especially during the festive season. Therefore, I was so happy and grateful when I got the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I can now confidently say that I am living a good life compared to when I hadn't started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I no longer have to do the tiresome and tedious work of cutting trees and burning charcoal. We also regularly change diet, which is something that we could only desire or just dream of. I am so grateful and happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Settling my two sons' school fees arrears is what took a huge chunk of the transfer I received, which was KES 24000. I did this because I believe in education and I did not want my children's education to be interrupted or disrupted by lack of school fees. I want them to stay in school and get a good education because I believe with a good education they will be able to find employment and inturn I'll be able to count on them in the future to help me address the challenges I will be facing. I also spent KES 12600 in buying iron sheets to repair the roof of my house which had been built using old and torn iron sheets which could hardly shield us from rain, and were leaking terribly bad. Therefore, I am now so happy that we are no longer being rained on and throughout the festive season we were comfortable even though it was raining heavily. All thanks to GiveDirectly.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means fulfilling my long-term dream of owning a food kiosk. I already have the necessary skills having worked in a hotel previously for 5 years. I intend to spend KES 10,000 to put up a structure and buy stock for the kiosk. I also plan to use KES 30,000 to build a proper house for my family and pay part of my children's school fees. Any remaining amount will go towards boosting my business and saving for my kids' education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day. This is because it is the time I get to rest after an energy draining morning of uprooting trunks to burn charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is financial constraint that has hindered me from fulfilling my dream of owning a decent house and a food kiosk business. Currently, I rely on charcoal burning which earns me an average of KES 5500 per month. This money is not sufficient for food nor education for my 6 children, husband and I. I'm grateful that Give Directly has come to my aid.