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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Lucy's Profile
Lucy's family
Lucy
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Personal services (self-employed)
faceAge:
30
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($367 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I never received the transfer since I have made one step in life by expanding my business. This led to an increase in my daily income and I have now also started saving some money on a daily basis. Because of this, my family no nonger lack their basic needs and I thank God because all this would not have happened if i had not received my transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My additional goal in life that I didn't have before receiving the transfer is to expand my business empire by expanding my cosmetic and saloon shops. By doing so, I will have increased my daily income which will make me cater for my family needs with much ease. This income will also help me pay for my sons secondary school education as from next year since he is in his final year in his primary education. It has always been my prayer to see him prosper in life and that is why I am always dedicated in his education. I can only prove this by ensuring that I pay his school fees on time and that is why I really need to expand my business in order to increase my daily income which I will be using to cater for this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
chama 10000 for project, fee 5000, saving 10000 I am a business woman and I was on maternity leave when I received my most recent transfer. Because of this, I decided to use part of the transfer to pay my three months rent in advance and in adding some stock in my cosmetic shop since I had already used my profits to pay for my medical bill during delivery. When GiveDirectly came for enrollment, we decided as a group to contribute part of our transfers so that we can use it to start a project which we will run as a group. Due to this, I used 10000 KES from my money as a contribution towards that. I also spent part of the money to pay school fees for my child who had been sent back home to collect school fees since I had not paid them. Finally, I saved the remaining amount so that I can use them in case of an emergency because I do not love the idea of taking loans.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($199 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goals now are to boost my salon business with my second transfers. I also see myself getting into great wealth with the project that we are currently initiating with my youth group, Mathare 3A young ladies. We have contributed some of our transfers to the group funds, and we hope to purchase land and build houses for rentals in future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I don't have to keep borrowing loans and debts for my personal use like our group fee, or Merry-go-round fee, or even for food; unlike before. Life is now easier as I have my transfers to keep me going until I receive my next transfers. I am very grateful to Give Directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to pay for my hospital bill. I was expectant and I delivered a child on the 18th of December, 2018. I was hospitalized for about three days as I went to deliver my child. I was happy that the transfers came just in time to assist me clear my bill and also to buy a few things for the baby. I also remained with some money that I used to buy text books for my children in school. The remainder of the transfers is what has kept me going all this time as I cannot be able to operate my salon. I owned a salon in my home area in Mathare 3A village, which I had to close down as I nurse my new born baby. The transfers have really assisted me because I do not have to borrow a loan from anywhere to cater for my needs or to pay for my Merry-go-rounds. I am currently debt free as I utilize the remainder of the transfers.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
My phone had been off because of low battery on that day that the transfers came in. We did not have power the previous night until the following day at around 9:00 AM; which was also the material day that the transfers came in. I charged my phone when power came back at around 9:00 AM and when I switched it on, I saw the Mpesa message. I was so excited and in that moment I believed that the truly the transfers were real. I was also relieved and happy because I knew that I would have some money to keep me going, as after I delivered my child, I could not operate my salon. I feel Give Directly was just God sent.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to invest in my salon business. Lately due to inadequate money I have lost market and clients because of not having enough materials. I will be able to buy trendy braids and other hair products to help improve the quality if my services. I will also add some cosmetics to the shop and it can serve as a beauty shop as well. My second priority will be to save some of the money for a better future as well as future investments. My third priority is to relocate and move to a better house or even a better neighbourhood.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is family because, I would never want anything bad to happen to my children, I want the best for them including be able to provide a better life, better education and the basic needs that I am supposed to. That is why my top worry is, if am not able to give them a better life then his can they face this day and age with no education skills and being able to get basic needs.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in is life is to be a successful business woman. I own a small salon but my ambition is to have a bigger one, be able to attend to a wider market and also open up a beauty and a hairdressing college for those who have passion for hair. Once I get to archive these, my life will improve financially and even socially my lifestyle will have changed. I always dream if having my own house and if I achieve my ambition then I can meet this one too and will save rent money by paying fees my my children.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I prepare my children for school, and since my salon is on their way to school I see them off then go to the salon. I normally spend the rest of the day attending to clients at the salon till evening then go back home and prepare dinner for my family. During my free time I try to spend time with my family especially my children. We go for day time outings like swimming after church.