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 > Grace's Profile
Grace's family
Grace
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($432 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My immediate goal is to open a mini-mart. Wholesale and retail sales of dry foods are the primary focus. Salt, flour, sugar, cereals, and so on are just a few of the items I would sell. This would enable me to provide my children with all of the things and opportunities I wished I had when they were their age.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Prior to receiving the GiveDirectly transfers, I was burning wood and selling the resulting charcoal for $4 per sack, barely enough to meet our family's basic needs. GiveDirectly enabled me to build a house and relocate my three children from my mother's kitchen. GiveDirectly excels at connecting its recipients' problems and their solutions. GiveDirectly restored my dignity, faith in humanity, and desire to keep striving for the best for my children. I hope they continue to bless others in this way for many years to come.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDirectly funds enabled me to construct a one-bedroom house and stop sleeping in my mother's kitchen. As a father of three, it bothered me that I didn't have my own bed or mattress, and these funds enabled me to do so once more. I bought one of each for myself. As a single mother, much of what I accomplished would have been impossible for me. My husband is a gardener in Mombasa, but we divorced two years ago, and I've been on my own with the kids ever since. My eldest is in Grade 1, my second is two years old, and my youngest is seven months old. Fortunately for me, my main recurring expense has been school fees for my eldest who attends Mnagoni Primary and requires $3 in tuition per month. Given that I had to till my farm for maize in order for us to eat while living with my mother, it's clear that all of my expenses, no matter how minor, were a struggle for me. a struggle that GiveDirectly has greatly aided in alleviating, and for which we will be eternally grateful.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 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 exactly 9:20 AM when I was still on my bed since I was quite stressed up when my mobile phone started ringing so loudly. I was a bit shocked and curious because it was so unusual for me to receive a message at that time of the day. I, therefore, decided to read the messages. I was extremely happy after realizing that it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. Wow! I had finally received my first transfer as I had been promised during the registration period. Without wasting time I quickly started to plan on how I would utilize the KES 55000 appropriately.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life ever since I started receiving the transfers is that I now have a decent iron-roofed house. This has been my dream house for quite a sine time but I couldn't afford it because of the financial hardships that I have been undergoing. Being a single mother of one who depends on a small business ( selling vegetables) I wasn't able to construct the house using my cash from the pocket. I have been struggling to bring the food to the table and sometimes this was not achievable as well. My previous house was just a small roundhouse which I was given by my brother who no longer stays in the village. It had weak walls and a leaky roof, during the rainy seasons we couldn't endure the sufferings. We, therefore, had to seek shelter from relatives which were very hectic because at times we were like a burden to them. I am now a happy mother because I have my home and I no longer have to worry about all sorts of troubles we have been through together with my daughter. GiveDirectly has truly restored my joy and I am now hopeful in life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 45000 of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as building poles, iron sheets, nails, thread and the labour costs. This was for the construction of and house because the previous was a small round grass-thatched house which could leaky excessively during the heavy rains. Also, I bought a new bed and a high-density mattress because I have been sleeping on the floor for all that long. I have been complaining of back pains sometimes waking up so tired and I have been in the hospital throughout as a result. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and other household items that I have been lacking.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will fulfil my dream of owning my own business. I have been through tough economic times because of the lack of a reliable source of money for my family's upkeep. Starting my own business will serve as an important breakthrough towards financial freedom. I am planning to use 50,000KES to start a modern grocery in the nearest trading center. In the village, I live in a one bedroom house. I am planning to use 40,000KES to construct a two bedroom house; one room for my children and one room for myself. Doing this will give me the peace of mind I have always desired to have.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. I enjoy taking tea and this is the time I take tea with my family. Unlike in the afternoon and evening where we eat maize meal, the morning tea makes my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Parting ways with my husband was the biggest hardship in my life. I never thought this would ever come to pass. I had to come back to my matrimonial home and life started getting tough.He later declined to support our children and that's where I faced the biggest challenge of my life. Since then, I have been surviving on energy draining occupations in the village such as selling firewood and charcoal.