GDLive Newsfeed
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 > Agnes's Profile
Agnes's family
Agnes
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
30
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($405 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Although this was our last transfer, I am glad that a difference has been manifested in my family of 7. As a backup plan, I hope to open a clothes business shop to earn income for the family since the $10 we earn from the bodaboda business can not cater for all the household needs such as food and education. I plan on using a capital of $100 to initiate this business hence be excited that my family's financial burden is catered for.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am glad that Givedirectly has been a financial breakthrough for most families in my village. For instance, lives have improved, businesses have commenced and children went to school. I appreciate the non-conditionality of the transfers since families can decide for themselves what they can do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family of 7 depends on charcoal burning to earn a living. However, the harsh climatic conditions and prolonged drought have depleted the trees and now we have turned to the bodaboda business that my husband owns as an alternative. Furthermore, charcoal burning is tiresome and risky as well because the government banned it and if found practising, then will be prosecuted. I am glad the transfers made life easy because I have paid school fees with them. In addition, I used $30 to purchase food for the household and the rest of the transfers on house construction. I am excited that my financial burden has been reduced hence I can concentrate on safe income-generating activities.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($442 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On the 14th of December, around 4:00pm, I received a message from GiveDirectly that I did not recognize at first. After reading it, the amount indicated matched what I expected from GiveDirectly. When I noticed this, I was overjoyed because it meant that my plans were about to come true. I added to the excitement by informing the other family members, who were also overjoyed, and collecting the money two days later when I was ready to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life has been finishing the payment on the motorcycle that we had been struggling with and distributing all of the daily proceeds. I am glad the money my husband is getting now covers most of the household bills and even goes into our savings account. We are no longer concerned that the seller will auction off the motorcycle now that we have paid off all of the installments and obtained the logbook.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a lot of work to do after getting the first transfer, but first we decided to develop a plot of land we had closer to the shopping center. I had been reliant on casual labor and hope to start an ice business in the same shop as the clothes business. To begin, I will need to obtain a deep freezer once the construction is completed, as well as bring in a new bale of clothes. I spent $120 on construction materials and have so far paid $3 in labor charges for ongoing construction work. I also spent $35 on a goat that I need to breed and multiply so that I can sell the offspring later when I need money. During this time, I also had a medical emergency, which required me to visit the hospital and pay a $100 medical bill. I am glad I found the right medication, which I am still taking and feeling better about. In addition, my husband needed to pay off the debt he incurred after purchasing a motorcycle on credit. He paid $76 to clear the debt and is now the rightful owner of a motorcycle that has been the primary source of income for our family. I also purchased food for my family of six, which we are still using.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Currently my primary goal is to be able to give my children the best education I can afford. But honestly it's been a lot of struggle. I think when I get this grant, I want to solve that and also create a source of income for my family. I have four children at the moment but only two are already in school paying school fees of $30 each academic term. To be able to raise this comfortably every month, I want to start a business that would be generating income for me. I will start with a kiosk that sells general shop products and also incorporate fresh vegetables and some clothes. It might cost $500 to set up everything.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was really happy two months ago when one of my children had a birthday. Rachael had a birthday in the month of September which I thought we weren't going to celebrate because we were not doing fine financially. But it all worked out well, I was able to buy them some snacks and cooked some of their favorite dishes. The girl was happy too to have turned three and she enjoyed the party a lot. Nothing could make me happier! It was amazing seeing them in that great mood.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable sources of income. My husband is a motorcycle taxi rider at the nearest shopping center. He bought a motorcycle on loan from a particular credit company to be repaid weekly at $24 after giving a deposit of $250. The total amount should be $2300 when it's all paid. This is around 170% of the actual value. Personally, I involve mostly in burning and selling charcoal which can only buy is food. It's been tough times for us repaying the loan and trying to pay other bills. This has led to a lot of instances of my children staying out of school because of school fees areas. I have two children in grade school paying termly fees of $30 together.