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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Alii's Profile
Alii's family
Alii
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($465 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 completing the goal that I had set for the second transfer, I developed another goal after seeing the need from the people. In our community there is no M-pesa shop thus people have to travel for a long distance in searching for the services. I also started a bookshop business and some customers usually ask for the M-pesa services and this gave me the challenge of setting it as a goal to accomplish once I get some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly empowered me to start my dream kind of business. If it were not for GiveDirectly I would not have been able to start the business. As at now this business is serving my family as a source of income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before withdrawing the first transfer money, I did a scouting of the area I come from and realize that we have several schools but there are no bookshops around. In that regard I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and started a bookshop business. Upon withdrawing the second transfer money I used the whole amount in equipping the bookshop with all kinds of stationary so as to serve all the needs of the people, and the schools around.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8.30 am, I was on my farm preparing it ready for the next planting season. My farm is located next to my neighbor's house, I heard my neighbor celebrating I was anxious to know what the good news was that morning. One of the neighbours informed me to check my phone. I was surprised to see that I had received my transfer. I felt very happy about receiving the transfer since I thought it was a scum. After completing my work I went to my home to plan with my spouse on how best to spend my transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is in my daily life is that I am now happy and confident that I will finally start my stationery shop. I was able to rent a space as well as installing shelves with the help of my first transfer. I can not wait to see my business commencing. This will be a reliable source of income to support my family's needs. In addition, I was able to clear the fee arrears for the children something that has restored my peace of mind.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My desire has been to start a stationery shop in the nearby market centre this is because we are forced to purchase these items in another town which is very far. I spent KES 40,000 to rent a shop and installing shelves to storing the books and other stationeries. I also spent KES 11,000 to educate my 2 children, one is in secondary school and the other still in primary. They had a huge fee balance hence I decided to clear on the arrears. I bought enough food with the remaining amount. I am also planning to use my second transfer as capital to purchase different stationery materials for my shop.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means adding capital to my business. I am currently running a book shop business and I started with a Capital of Ksh.20000. The market is big such that I cannot satisfy my clients fully with the stock I have. I want to add a stock of Ksh.55000 so as to satisfy my clients. I will use the remaining amount to start an Mpesa business at the book shop. This will add my income to approximately Ksh. 5000 every month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest Part of the day is in the evening. This is because after working hard over the day I rest in the evening. I also plan for the next day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship I faced is when I lost job due to covid-19. I have a family of 6 members and we use two packets of flour in a day. Upon loosing the job, my family had two go without food for a long period. That is something that made me suffer sychologically.