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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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Completed
Newsfeed > Esther's Profile
Esther's family
Esther
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Tailoring
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
47900 KES ($462 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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What did you spend your third transfer on?
I spent my third transfer on expanding my existing tailoring business by introducing clothing materials for 10,000 KES to enable customers who interested in new clothes have a variety when they come for tailoring services. I also diversified by introducing 2 bags of dry corn for 8,500 KES and 5 bags of charcoal for 4,000 KES, which I display just outside my tailoring kiosk. To date I have managed to grow the charcoal business by additional 3 bags, to a total of 8 bags, and the corn business to a total of 3 bags. My life has so changed that these days my family no longer sleeps hungry unlike when I only did tailoring business as a service, since when people are experiencing famine and low income, they do not make clothes and instead they spend every coin they have on food especially dry corn. Charcoal also sells because it is a reliable cooking energy in this area. I spent the rest of the money on an MKOPA solar panel for 23,000 KES. It charges phones and a radio, and in addition my child uses the lighting for studies for long hours these days due to solar light reliability and availability. Things are different from before when we used kerosene, and because I was not making much, there were times my child could not study at night due to lack of kerosene resulting from my low and unreliable income. In fact life is good these days, thank you.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on expanding my tailoring business by adding stock such as cloth fabric 10,000 KES and sewing machine 12,000 KES. I started a cereal business 10000 KES. I have also saved some amount of money 20,000 KES for household emergency needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am more self reliant as opposed to before the transfer in that I have doubled my household's income by starting a cereal business and adding stock onto my tailoring business hence I am getting a sustainable income which has enabled me provide for my family's basic needs with ease and my children's education is no longer a challenge. Thanks to GiveDirectly for really changing my way of life unexplainably.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($97 USD)
access_time almost 7 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent 6,000 KES of my first transfer to invest on cereals selling business and also invested on African print materials business which I sell to earn an income
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received the money, I was very happy because I was no going to be able to fulfill all my heart desires.
 
Enrolled
access_time 7 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship have faced in my life is when i got married and then separated it really affected me because i had invested so much but i thank God i came out stronger.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my child is back and we smile as we story.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me, God has a plan and purpose for me have always been praying and this is one of my prayers and it has been answered finally.