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 > Pendo's Profile
Pendo's family
Pendo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($354 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary focus is on launching a vegetable business with the aim of supporting my spouse in providing for the needs of our family. This endeavor represents not only an entrepreneurial dream but a practical way to contribute to our household's financial stability. With careful planning and hard work, I hope to cultivate and sell fresh, high-quality vegetables that can not only sustain our family but also create a source of income. By doing so, I aim to ease the burden on my spouse and ensure that our family's requirements are well met, while also pursuing a fulfilling passion in the world of agriculture.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has truly excelled in its approach, demonstrating a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. I appreciate that this organization doesn't discriminate, and, thanks to this, I was fortunate to be enrolled and receive my unconditional cash transfer. The freedom to choose how to use the money has been empowering and life-changing. It's not just about financial assistance; it's about respecting the dignity and autonomy of recipients like me. GiveDirectly's approach sets a powerful example in the realm of humanitarian assistance, and I'm grateful for the opportunity it has provided to improve my life and that of others without bias or discrimination.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving that second unconditional cash transfer was a true blessing for me. First and foremost, I used a significant portion, around $180, to purchase iron sheets and nails and cover the labor charges. My aim was to complete the construction of my house, a project I had started but was forced to halt due to financial constraints. I had big plans. I wanted to add another room to my home, as the current single room was far too small to comfortably house my family of four. This extra space would not only provide us with a more comfortable living arrangement but also a sense of privacy that we had longed for. After that, I used a portion of the funds to pay a school fee of $30 for my daughter, who is in the lower classes. The relief on her face and the happiness she now carries into her classroom, free from the distractions of unpaid fees, are priceless gifts. It warms my heart to know that she's focusing on her studies, hoping for better grades and a brighter future. Also, the cash transfers came to the rescue when my main source of income, my motorcycle, broke down a few weeks ago. With nearly $100, I managed to purchase the necessary spare parts to get it running again. My husband operates it, and thanks to this repair, our income is back on track. The feeling of self-reliance and security it brought is beyond words. I finally bought some much-needed food with the rest of the money, ensuring that we had enough to sustain us in the coming months.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($387 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, as I stood at the church, praising the Lord for all the blessings in my life, I was interrupted by the pleasant sound of my phone ringing. As I stepped outside to answer the call, my heart raced with excitement when I saw it was GiveDirectly on the other end, notifying me that I had received my first unconditional cash transfer. A surge of joy and relief washed over me, knowing that this unexpected financial support would finally grant me the means to fulfill my long-held dream of owning a motorcycle. With gratitude in my heart, I envisioned the newfound freedom and opportunities this two-wheeled companion would bring to my life, allowing me to reach places I had only dreamed of before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since the day I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the motorcycle business my husband now operates. It has brought an unimaginable amount of joy and relief. Before, we struggled to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck, but now, with the profits from the motorcycle business, we have a stable source of income that has transformed our lives. We can afford to put food on the table, send our children to school, and even save a little for the future. The burden of financial uncertainty has been lifted, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our family's future is secured. The motorcycle business has not only brought financial stability but also a sense of pride and accomplishment for my husband, seeing his hard work pay off. I am eternally grateful to GiveDirectly for this life-changing opportunity. I expected that financial support would finally grant me the means to fulfill my long-held dream of owning a motorcycle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the transfer, I decided to surprise my husband by buying him a second-hand motorcycle, which cost $520 specifically for his work. He used to borrow his friend's bike and only earned a meager commission of $60 per month. Our financial situation was dire, and we struggled to make ends meet. Putting food on the table was a daily challenge, and I felt ashamed for not being able to provide for our basic needs. But now, things have changed for the better. With his own motorbike, my husband's earnings have increased, and we no longer worry about our daily sustenance. The burden of providing for our family has been lifted, and I thank God for the support that has transformed our lives. Not stopping there, I also used the remaining cash to buy poles to extend our small single-room house. Our family has grown to three, and the one-room house is no longer sufficient. With the additional room, we now have enough space to live comfortably and watch our family blossom. This newfound stability in our lives is all thanks to the unconditional cash transfer, which has transformed our struggles into hope and prosperity. I can't help but feel immense gratitude for the positive impact it has had on our lives.
 
Enrolled
access_time 10 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My house at the moment is 1-roomed and I feel the pressure of lacking enough space. This has pushed me to desire to have a spacious house but since I do not have the money, my dream is yet to materialize. The GiveDirectly's cash grant will allow me to make this come to reality since I plan to spend $500 to construct a decent and spacious house for my family. This will guarantee me the freedom of privacy. On the other hand, I will also spend $100 to start grocery where I will be selling some fruits and vegetables. This will help me to have a reliable source of income that will be supplementing the little earning from my husband. The remaining amount will cater to other basic needs like food, school fees, beddings, and a new uniform for my daughter. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In April this year, I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. This has doubled my happiness as a mother because I have 2 kids at the moment. The joy of giving birth safely is something that I do not take for granted and I thank God for the blessings. Thus, considering what has happened in the last 6 months, adding my family members is what has brought joy to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The stress of living as a housewife has hit me so hard to the extent of regretting being in a marriage. This is because, I do not have the opportunity to work and earn money for myself, rather than depending on my husband who is also a casual laborer. The sole reason to remain jobless is due to the financial crisis that we are undergoing and this has exposed us to this extreme poverty. My husband usually sends me $8 per week and this goes to buying food. The stress of planning for $8 always eats up my mind since in most cases, I am forced to forgo other very basic needs. Considering that I have 2 young children at home, missing other essentials becomes a problem. What a life! I, therefore, consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge.