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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 > Salma's Profile
Salma's family
Salma
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
19
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($527 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had it not been for the financial support which I received from GiveDirectly, I would still be sheltering in my old house which was weak and its roof dilapidated. As of now, I managed to construct a decent iron-roofed house which has changed my life. I feel happy living in a decent place with no worries about any weather change. Besides that, I am training to be a tailor. Purchasing a sewing machine using the transfer is a big step towards achieving this dream. Soon, I will open my own tailoring shop that will be my main source of income. I have also saved a portion of the money to help my husband start a carpentry workshop. Our family goals come first and through this business, we are hoping to achieve even more goals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a good job of enrolling needy households which have, in turn, uplift our living standards. Most of us can afford basic needs like access to a better shelter which was not possible before due to our low financial status. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly didn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to buy a sewing machine worth KES 15000. I am hoping to use this machine to start my own tailoring shop as I gather enough capital to buy textile materials. In addition to this, I also took KES 10000 for the medication of my mother in law who was undergoing an operation. We couldn't have managed to raise enough money for her treatment had it not been financial support from GiveDirectly. We can only thank this organization for saving her life. She is now recuperating well. I also took a portion of the money to buy foodstuffs and paid for other household expenses. Thinking of another goal that we had as a family, I decided to save a portion of the money to enable my husband to start a carpentry workshop. He has been working as a casual labourer for long without any good results on income. I am hoping that through this workshop, he will be generating a good income that will enable us to accomplish our family goals.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having my own sewing machine has greatly transformed my life in so many ways. This is because previously I used to hire from a friend and in the end pay her on a monthly basis. It was a challenge for me in that, I had to share the little money I got with the owner of the machine. It was so difficult for me to settle all my bills. This made me depend on loans from different banks so that I can send my children to school. The story is now different because I can settle my own bills including paying school fees for my children because I have my own sewing machine courtesy of GiveDirectly that I do not hire at any cost. whatever I am earning is all mine. I am so grateful.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 am in the morning when I was preparing breakfast for my children that I heard my phone vibrating continuously. I was a bit curious and decided to check the content of the message. When I realized that GiveDirectly had sent the transfer, I was very happy because I knew that I was going to meet most of my goals.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer in buying some building materials such as iron sheets, timber, building poles, and some nails purposely for the construction of a new house. The current house is in poor condition. I have been sleeping at my grandmother's house which is stressful just because according to our community, it is a taboo but I have no options. I am happy that I will soon have my own house that will come with a lot of freedom. I then bought some goats as my potential assets. Buying a sewing machine was also a great idea. Before then, I could hire from friends at a cost that was costly. I thank GiveDirectly since having my own has increased my income. Besides that, I also hired someone to prepare my farming since it was planting season. The remaining amount of money was spent on purchasing enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to fulfil my life time ambition of partaking a tailoring course so that I can become an independent professional. Before I got married, my father enrolled me for a tailoring course but when he realised that I was pregnant, he was so disappointed in me and stopped paying for my course.That was three years ago.Ever since then all my attempts to enrol back have proven futile.With this money, I see my dream coming true.I will finish my course and purchase the sewing machine and some other necessities that will enable me to set up my own tailoring business.With the rest I will complete building my house and also purchase goats for keeping.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happiest in the evening when we are together with the extended family members sharing our evening meal as culture dictates. Being together as a family makes me so happy because many jokes tend to be shared and the jovial mood of the people laughing brings a sense of unity that is heartwarming.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Nothing pains a mother as much as not being able to provide for her children with the best in life. My husband and I have been trying all we can to give them a comfortable life but this has been derailed by our lack of sufficient source of finances.For a very long time after my house collapsed, I was housed by my mother in law but living was just impossible. I struggled and started building my small house but I have not been able to complete it yet we are forced to stay in it in its incomplete state.The cold at night is unbearable and when coupled with the mosquitoes at night,my two children are normally sick on a weekly basis. We sleep on the cold floor on nothing but a mat and this has contributed to my persistent back ache. Thus financial constraint is my biggest hardship.