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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 > Constance's Profile
Constance's family
Constance
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
19
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 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 had these goals already since the first transfer, which were adding livestock as well as making additional payment for the motorcycle we bought on hire purchase price with the first transfer. I stuck with these goals because as for the livestock, apart from the numerous benefits that they bring to my family, through them I will always remember the assistance I received from GiveDirectly as well as the motorcycle too which is also our regular source of income. I am so happy and grateful because my job as a hairdresser couldn't be sufficient enough to enable me fulfill these aims that I had as what I could raise was just enough to meet my family's immediate needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, every aspect of the program went well, from the field visits to the interactions with the Call Center Agents. I personally enjoyed the interactions as all the Field Officers were very kind and patient, as well as very resourceful in helping us with ideas and suggestions on how to make good use of the money we were going to receive. I saw nothing that is not done well or needs improvement, everything was well done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 38000 on buying three cows to add to the other three that I had bought earlier with part of the first transfer. I did this because I saw a lot of benefits in these cows because when they reproduce and increase in numbers, I will be able to sell one or two and address the financial challenges I will be facing in the future, and that their prices are relatively higher than goats which makes me so proud and hopeful. These cows will also provide food for my family, especially the milk that they will produce which will not only be food but also a source of little income as I would offer the surplus to our neighbors at a cost. I am so happy and proud to see them on my compound as they will always remind me of the assistance I received from GiveDirectly. I also spent KES 14000 on making additional payment for the motorcycle we bought initially on hire purchase with part of the first transfer. This motorcycle, which my husband operates as a motorcycle taxi is our regular source of income and through it as well, we will always remember the assistance we received from GiveDirectly. I couldn't afford to have all these before, since I solely depended on my job as a hairdresser which could only raise enough to meet my family's immediate needs, therefore, I am so grateful for the help I got from GiveDirectly.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 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 on my way to my salon business early that morning when I received a Mpesa message on my phone. I was curious to know who could have sent me money that morning. When I checked the contents, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy as I began my day attending to my clients.
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 have an additional source of income having acquired a motorcycle through the transfer. I am working as a salonist and the income from it has not been enough to take care of all our basic needs. My husband was employed by a neighbour and they were sharing the proceeds from offering taxi services. He was getting just a little income from this. I am happy that he is currently using our own motorcycle to provide taxi services at a fee. Owning this motorcycle will increase the income and I can effectively fulfill the basic needs like food with ease.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 50000 of my first transfer on paying a deposit for a motorcycle that I had acquired on credit. Before getting the transfer, my husband was employed by a neighbour to offer taxi services. The income he was getting was very little since he had to share the proceeds with his employer. Having our own motorcycle will ensure an increased income. Through it I will be able to meet my family's basic needs like food with ease. I spent the remaining amount to purchase goats. I am keeping them in my homestead and my expectation is that they will reproduce and increase in number. I can readily rely on them in case of a financial need.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means self employment to my husband. Currently, he works as a taxi driver which belongs to our neighbor. This I plan to achieve through spending 100,000 shillings to purchase a new motorbike for him which he will be operating it. In a day he can make a profit of 1000 shillings which is enough to sustain all our needs such as food. This is going to be a good source of income. Approximately, my family of 3 members spend 300 shillings in a day. The other proceeds will be saved for our child future education. The rest of the transfer will go to livestock.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of the day. This is because I have enough time to perform my house chores such as washing clothes. This is different from the afternoon when I am busy with my 6 months child who needs full attention from me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband operate a taxi belonging to my neighbour. In a day he makes 1000 shillings as profit but he has to pay back the owner ending up with nothing. Sometimes he comes back without anything making it hard for us to meet our basic needs such as food. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.