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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 > Juma's Profile
Juma's family
Juma
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($277 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year, I have ambitious plans to expand my retail business, aiming to increase income and further improve my economic standing. I estimate that I will need $500 to execute this expansion successfully. My strategy involves relying on the profits generated from the retail business and the sales of goats once they sire. Expanding the retail business not only opens up new opportunities for income generation but also strengthens my economic resilience. The combination of a thriving retail venture and the additional income from goat sales positions me well to achieve my financial goals. I am optimistic that, with careful planning and dedication, the coming year will bring positive changes and increased prosperity. The support from the profits of the retail business and the sale of goats will play a crucial role in funding this expansion, paving the way for a more stable and flourishing economic future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am grateful for the transformative impact that GiveDirectly has had on my life. The transfers received from the organization have been instrumental in providing financial stability, particularly through the initiation of my retail business. The support from GiveDirectly has played a significant role in uplifting me from poverty, enabling me to establish and sustain a business that contributes to my economic well-being. The newfound financial stability has not only met immediate needs but has also opened up opportunities for a more secure and prosperous future. From my perspective, everything about GiveDirectly's approach is fine, and I have no wishes for any changes. The organization's impact on my life and the positive outcomes achieved through their support have been commendable. I appreciate the assistance received and the positive changes it has brought, allowing me to build a more resilient and financially secure life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfers has brought about positive changes in my life, and I have made strategic decisions to improve my economic situation. Allocating $300 to open a retail shop business was a significant step towards generating income to sustain myself. This business had been a long-standing wish, but the lack of capital hindered its initiation, as my primary source of income was goat rearing. Another $150 was wisely spent on purchasing three goats. This not only adds to my livestock assets but also aligns with the economic activities in my area. It allows me to participate in goat rearing, contributing to the economic dynamics of the community. Living alone, these investments have provided a sense of financial security and stability. The retail shop and additional goats represent not only sources of income but also a means to diversify my economic activities. With a settled mind,I am hopeful that I can now approach the future with confidence, knowing that I have taken steps to enhance my livelihood and economic well-being through the support I have received.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($294 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Over the coming year, my aspiration is to solidify the foundation of my business. I am strategically mapping out the utilization of my upcoming third transfer to ensure that I can adequately stock my shop with a substantial inventory of goods. This forward-looking approach is pivotal in not only establishing my business but also in laying the groundwork for sustained growth and success. I am dedicated to making strategic investments that will contribute to the long-term viability and prosperity of my entrepreneurial venture.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The financial empowerment extended to us by GiveDirectly has been transformative, giving us ample reasons for joy and gratitude as it significantly elevated our living standards. Looking ahead, I believe GiveDirectly should contemplate a more inclusive approach, extending support to all residents within the village boundaries without the introduction of undisclosed criteria, This would further enhance the positive impact of GiveDirectly's initiatives on the entire community.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I recognized it as the opportune moment to embark on constructing my house, given my current dwelling, which is a mud wall and grass-thatched structure. I allocated $40 towards the purchase of building posts to kickstart the construction process. Upon further consideration, I decided to save the remaining funds, intending to combine them with my forthcoming third transfer. My plan is to use this consolidated amount to initiate a retail shop. The goal is to generate profits that can subsequently be channeled into the house-building project. Despite being engaged in a beehive business, the limited income is a result of a saturated market. While I am currently without a family, I am optimistic about the prospect of establishing one in the near future.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($139 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Upon receiving the initial transfer, I was extremely joyful as I read the message and verified its origin from GiveDirectly. At that moment, I was attending an event at a nearby school. Interestingly, as I received the message, it became apparent that others at the gathering were also receiving similar notifications. I shared the news with my brothers, who shared in the excitement of receiving their own messages. After three days, I proceeded to collect the funds at the nearby shopping center.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I began receiving the initial transfer is the commencement of the construction of my new house, for which I have already acquired certain materials. Taking such a step seemed unimaginable previously due to my lack of a reliable income stream to facilitate immediate purchases of construction supplies. I had been relying on scarce casual labor opportunities, and I am grateful that GiveDirectly provided cash support that has effectively addressed many of the challenges faced by people in similar circumstances.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Despite living alone in a small grass-thatched hut, my discomfort had grown due to the constant effort required to replace fallen grass caused by both wind and animals. The receipt of the initial transfer was a welcome relief, as I had intended to allocate a portion to acquire construction materials. Following their purchase from the nearby shopping center, I used $113 to buy 13 iron sheets that I plan to incorporate once all necessary supplies are available. Furthermore, I obtained half a sack of maize grains for $30, which still serves as my sustenance since I live alone. Additionally, I invested $20 in new utensils and $30 in acquiring new clothing to replace worn-out garments, and subsequently used the remaining funds to cover transportation expenses and various other essential household needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving this money means a lot of me, I have always wanted to build another decent house but it has not been possible because of lack of funds. I live in a grass thatched house, many times the cattle break the fence and feed on the grass on the roof as the case was recently, exposing me to rain and cold. It is for this reason that I intend to use part of the transfers to build a better house as a priority. I am so glad that I will own a new house soon, it was unimaginable and I never knew I will ever be able to build one as the cost is expensive. I plan to use $500 for it's construction, I will use the rest of the money to build a pit latrine and do fencing around the homestead. If there will be some that will remain I will purchase some goats for keep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I normally repair beehives for a living.During dry seasons I do not get a lot of work and that means I get little income from repairing them but when it rains it is normally the joy of my life since I repair up to 3 beehives per day at a cost of $3.50 per beehive. Sometimes last month it rained a lot and there were plenty of nectar for bees to prepare honey, so many people in the effort to leverage on the season brought me the broken beehives for repair. I made a kill out of them and I was able to buy enough food to last from the proceeds. I long for those times as it is a blessing for me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am single and fending on my own. Both my parents have passed, my father passed on sometimes 2020 and my mother followed the following year. Life took a turn for worse, it broke my heart and I momentarily lost hope in life, my future was dimmed. I had to drop out of school after standard 8. I was not able to proceed to secondary school because of lack of school fees, mark you I had passed my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education well. It has never been easy, I depend on menial casual job which are hardly sustainable, notably putting food on the table is an uphill task.Day after day I am faced with massive worries of where my next meal will come from. It is a such a life that I have never got used to, live of misery and despair. It pains me a lot!