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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 > Mwenda's Profile
Mwenda's family
Mwenda
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($374 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My greatest aspiration is to start a kiosk business, seizing the opportunity as soon as the cash promised by my spouse arrives. This dream has been brewing in my heart for some time, and I believe it holds the key to transforming my family's financial situation. With the support of my spouse, I am eager to take the leap into entrepreneurship and establish a thriving kiosk that caters to the needs of our community. I envision a place where people can find convenience, quality products, and friendly service, all while contributing to the betterment of our household's income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Thanks to GiveDirectly, I finally have the freedom to plan my finances exactly the way I want. Unlike traditional aid programs with restrictions and limitations, GiveDirectly trusted me to make the best decisions for myself and my family. This level of autonomy allowed me to address my most pressing needs, invest in long-term goals, and secure a better future. I can't express enough how empowering it feels to have the flexibility to use the funds according to my priorities, and GiveDirectly's approach has truly made a positive and lasting impact on my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a jobless mother, relying on my spouse's meager income from the quarry has been a constant struggle to support our large family of twelve members. Fed up with the embarrassment of our cramped living conditions, I decided to invest my recent unconditional cash transfers wisely. I used $400 to purchase iron sheets, poles, nails, threads, and timber with a clear goal in mind: to build a new, spacious house that could comfortably accommodate my three children, three grandchildren, my spouse, and myself. The thought of providing my family with a better home filled me with hope and determination. Moreover, I knew the value of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, so I allocated $100 of the funds to pay the school fees for my children. My two older kids in secondary school and three younger ones in lower classes could now continue their studies without interruption, giving them a chance for a brighter future. With the remaining amount, I made sure there was enough food on our table to feed my family. It was a humbling experience to have the means to address some of my most pressing needs, and I felt a renewed sense of strength and purpose. The unconditional cash transfer gave me the opportunity to take a step towards self-sufficiency, and I was determined to make the most of it for the betterment of my family's life.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on the verge of losing my joy due to illiteracy. I do not know if I heard the message tone or not. What I do know is that I overheard neighbors jubilantly expressing the receipt of their transfer. I requested one of them, whom I trust, to check for me since I was intrigued because we were both enrolled on the same day. She attested to the fact that I had also gotten my transfer. Having just received a nonrefundable large quantity of money for the first time in my life, I was overjoyed. The bad condition of my domicile was what brought on my bliss. Sincerely, a solution had been found for the problem. To express my thanks, I ululated and danced joyfully.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The availability of food at home and the peace of mind I experienced after successfully constructing a home for my kid mark the difference between my life before and after GiveDirectly entered it. At first, we were able to spend up to two days a week without eating, but that is no longer an issue for us thanks to the transfer. Again, now that my son has a house of his own and no longer has to seek sanctuary from friends, he can confidently and successfully undertake his academic work, unlike before when he used to get instruction at people's residences.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I decided to build a house for my 20-year-old son after receiving the first transfer because the one he had collapsed. Since then, he has sought refuge from friends, which did not offer me peace of mind and led to my choice. I can't even remember how much money I spent on the property, but the fact that my son now has his own home and can support himself courtesy of GiveDirectly is a plus. After that, I made up any unpaid school tuition for my seven kids. Five of them are in primary school, two are in high school. I spent $30 on the elementary school students and $90 on the high school students. Since my spouse and I both work as temporary employees, I decided to keep the remaining amount for the family's upkeep.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Living in fear has been part of my life over the last 3 years. This is because we shifted to new land for which we still owe the owner a balance of $500. This has been giving me sleepless nights and I believe the coming of GiveDirrectly as a huge blessing to me. Although I have many options to spend this money on, I will prioritize settling the debt which I am sure of guaranteeing me a peaceful life with my family. A portion of my second transfer, ($300) will cater for the construction of a 2-roomed iron-roofed house because the one I am using at the moment is small and grass-thatched. The remaining amount will help me to buy 4 goats to add to my stock to act as my long-term investment plan. Achieving this will mean a life of joy to us. Therefore, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The family bond! Over the last 6 months, one thing that stood out strongly in my life is the love that the family has shown towards each other. There has been no single day when one is disregarded and this has brought joy to my household. My husband has also displayed his love to us for being supportive despite his low income. This has helped us to get our basic needs although with challenges. Thus, I consider this as what gives my life meaning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning, mats weaving, and aloe vera extraction are all activities in which I am engaged. Yes, they are so strenuous and time-consuming save being low-earning jobs, I am compelled to perform them for my upkeep. This menace has not spared my children's education since they are often sent home due to lack of fees and we also skip meals on most days. What a worrying life! This situation has robbed away my joy as a mother and I consider the lack of a reliable source of income to be my biggest challenge.