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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 > Nicholas's Profile
Nicholas's family
Nicholas
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
34
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($473 USD)
access_time over 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 no new goals since I had planned to complete the projects I had started with my first transfer. I wanted to construct a two-roomed house since we had a house that served as a kitchen and bedroom.In addition, this transfer will assist me boost my business which I have been struggling for the longest time possible.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion,giving unconditional cash transfers allowed each individual to decide on what to spend on. I am so grateful that the transfer has boosted my business which had been affected by COVID.I have no complaints since all the processes were fair as we had been informed by Givedirectly officers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my second transfer, I constructed a two roomed house which was going to fit my young family of three .I had been living in a grass thatched house and was so excited that I would now own a semi permanent house.I spent Ksh.25,000 to buy all materials inclusive of labour costs.With the remaining amount of Ksh 28,000, I decided to invest in my business of buying and selling hybrid cows.At the moment I have seen a growth range of profit margin which has amounted to Ksh 2,000 which is of great assistance.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 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 at home enjoying a cup of tea when I heard my phone ringing, upon checking I saw a Mpesa alert showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I could not believe my eye hence I stood up so that I could read the message word to word to confirm if it was legit, I was so happy that I forgot to finish up what I was doing but instead my wife and I embarked on planning on how we would spend our transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a local businessman, l buy and sell cows in the village but the irony here is that I did not own any dairy cows because I could not afford one due to the market price that was too high for me to afford, The transfer came as a relief in my life because I was able to buy the best daily cow that was available in the market for myself, My wife and I are so happy that we would no longer spend money daily on milk. My wife too was able to seek further medication and his health is in good shape. GiveDirectly has lifted our lives tremendously and we are grateful for the support we got that was timely and of great impact in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a local businessman in the village, When I received my transfer we sat down with my wife to plan on how to spend our transfer, therefore, we settled on buying a dairy cow worth KES 35,000, I then used KES 5000 in paying schools fees for my child, My wife was not feeling well and she needed to seek for further medication, hence we used the remaining amount on her treatment, I am happy and relieved that I would be able to cut down the cost of buying milk daily, at the same time we will be having enough milk for our daily usage.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money would mean an expanded business for me. I do buy and sell cattle in this locality but most of the time I am not able to meet demands of my clients due to little investment that I made in this business. I would like to invest all my transfers in this business and this will get me profits of up to US$150 per month. Currently am limited to profits of US$50 monthly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a trader who usually moves around different markets in this region to trade and this is sometimes tiresome. The happiest part of the day therefore is usually in the evening since I have some money to buy food for my children and I also get to relax with them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I never went to school since my parents could not afford to pay school fees for me and my siblings and I believe that education would have given me many options in life. The biggest hardship has therefore been having to live with minimal options to earn income.