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 > Saumu's Profile
Saumu's family
Saumu
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
31
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 spending the second transfer as per my plans, I developed another goal that I am struggling to achieve. If I get some money, I aim to buy more goats to add to the ones I bought using the first transfer. This idea came after seeing a friend of mine prospering in this type of investment since it’s easier to convert the goats to monetary value if the need arises.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Initially, my life was full of ups and downs. Making ends meet so my family to get some food was a challenging task since I had no source of income. The only hope was the produce from the unproductive piece of land. Getting this new piece of land will enable me to have a place to lean on and the only prayer I am praying for is good rains. In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a remarkable thing of giving us transfers without rules on how to spend the money, thus enabling most of us to do things which would benefit them as per their needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the main thing I had planned was to buy a piece of land for farming since the one I used to farm on has been overused and it is no longer productive. In that regard, I bought an acre piece of land for KES 50000.00. I am pretty sure if the rain comes I will be able to harvest good produce in this piece of land. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount to buy some food.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly it was around 9:30 am when I was in my small shop serving my customers. I heard a loud message notification on my phone and after completing attending to them, I checked my phone and realize that I have received my transfer. I felt extremely happy since I had been waiting for this aid to boost my business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently a happy shopkeeper after boosting my business with the aid. I was able to restock the necessary things in my shop and nowadays, I earn enough income to cater to my family needs. In addition, my customers are always happy getting all what they need under one roof.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a shopkeeper, I invested KES 20,000 in my small shop business, it was struggling and about to collapse due to lack of enough capital. Currently, the profit has raised from the normal 400 to 1000 per day. With this income, I can cater to the needs of my family without much struggle. I also spent KES 14,000 to purchase 4 goats at KES 3,500 this is a future investment for the family. With 5 children currently in lower primary school, I will use them to support their studies once they join secondary school. Furthermore, I spent KES 5000 to clear the existing fee arrears of my children. They were constantly sent home due to school fees, presently, they focus on their studies because they are no longer send home because of fees issues. In addition, I bought proper beddings for the children they were sleeping using sacks that were not comfortable. The remaining amount assist me on purchasing enough food for the family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means stock expansion to my business. I am a businesswoman who has been operating a kiosk shop worth 20,000 Kenya shillings. I have desired to run a shop with large stock worth at least 60,000 Kshs but due to financial challenges, this dream has never been fulfilled. I am planning to spend 40,000 shillings on the top-up. This is going to generate more income for my family. In a day I can make at least 400 Kshs as proceeds which is enough to sustain all our needs such as school fees. Also, I will use the remaining amount to clear school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. This is because I can perform my house chores and leave for my business so that I can provide for my family needs such as food. This is different from evening when I am too tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income has become my biggest challenge. This is because I depend on my small business (kiosk) which generate little proportion 150 shillings in a day. This amount is not enough to sustain all the basic needs such as food. In a day my family spends at least 350 KShs.