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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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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Annet's Profile
Annet's family
Annet
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
20
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 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 different than how it would have been because I now own a motorbike. Through the bodaboda business, it had brought a big impact on my life because in a day I earn KES 700. This is contrary to the previous days where I was working in a hotel as a waitress ad I could earn KES 150 in a day. This could not sustain all my family's needs and therefore I ended up suffering. It is now a big relief to me because through this, I can find my family with ease and I am in the process of starting a new project through the bodaboda business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly played a big role in our lives by uplifting our living standards. Before then we have been living in extreme poverty lives and no one had an idea of when this will come to an end. Without discriminating against anyone, GiveDirectly gifted us with KES 110000 in every deserved household. Though we have been able to acquire different types of assets such as livestock, houses and enough school for our children
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some building poles, twenty pieces of iron sheets at KES 820, threads, nails, a metal door, and timber. This was was for the construction of a new house becasue the initial one was very small and some of my family members to seek shelter from neighbors. I gave the Masson KES 13000 as the labour charges. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough food that will sustain us for the next few weeks.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by the loud vibration from my mobile phone at around six in the morning. This was so unusual and without wasting time, I decided to check who it could be. Only to realize it was the Mpesa message from GiveDirectly that I have been anxiously been waiting for. I was overwhelmed with joy since I was positive that I would achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having my own motorbike has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. Since my spouse is an experienced driver and for all those years he was employed by his friends and he was paid on commission. The money was too little for the family upkeep and paying for our children's fees was not easy. Because sometimes he was not even paid simply because maybe the given day was unproductive. For now, I am hopeful and happier because currently using my own motorbike, and whatever he is getting for the day is all ours. Meeting our family's needs has become easy and I no longer struggle like in the past years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a big portion of my first cash transfer on buying a second-hand motorbike. I have been yearning to own it for years but could not afford it. With the remaining amount of money, I am planning to buy some building materials to construct a new house since the previous one was in poor condition. Whenever it could rain, I used to seek shelter from my neighbors which was so hectic.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are still a very young couple yet to have children and thus at an advantage to better spend this money since we do not have many responsibilities for now. My desire is to get better shelter in form of a 3 roomed house and livestock for commercial purposes. Livestock trading happens to be a very lucrative business here and with the income I will be able to meet our needs and save for our future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend a better part of my mornings in the fields looking for trunks to burn charcoal. This is quite an energy draining activity and I always look forward to the afternoons when I can just eat and rest to regain my strength. This makes afternoon the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is employed as a motorcycle taxi driver in a nearby center here. However, his income of about 2 dollars a day is only enough for our meals and not any other developmental project. This has forced us to sleep in a dilapidated house for the 3 years of our marriage. Our biggest challenge therefore is lack of financial resources to invest in our future.