GDLive Newsfeed
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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Christine's Profile
Christine's family
Christine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
43
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is very different from how it would have been if it were not to GD's support because I have seen my shop expand as far as stock is concerned. Before the shop alone could not sustain the household expenses but as per now, it goes to the extent of paying my children's school fees and affording luxury lifestyle.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GD has done so well in uplifting the living standards of many people in the areas it has worked before. This is evident from my community for many households and moves have been empowered thanks to GD's support.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving my recent transfers, I spent some on my late husband's funeral. This was inevitable because I had not [planned his death but to God be the Glory. The remaining amount I spent to boost my shop business which has been the main source of income even before GD's transfers came to the picture.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have been operating a shop for a year now and the chances of expanding were minimal because I never managed to fully meet my customer's needs, thus reducing my profits. I nearly shut it down because of insufficient capital to boost the stock. When I received my first transfer, I resolved to inject KES 45000 to increase the stock in my shop with different kinds of products. I bought an adequate stock that will serve a large number of customers thus I am sure that my earnings will improve and increase again unlike before. My business is back to life again through the money I received from GiveDirectly. To me, this is the biggest difference in my daily life. I believe the extra profits will help me improve my family living standards and meet emergencies in the family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message alert on my phone that morning. I was curious to know who could have sent a message at that hour thus I went ahead to read it. I was instantly filled with happiness when I confirmed that GiveDirectly had finally honoured their promise by sending us money. I thanked them for this fortune.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I was operating a shop in our villages which has been a major source of income. I had only started this shop at KES 15000 and the stock was not much profitable. When I received my first transfer, I invested KES 45000 to this shop by purchasing an adequate stock of different products that will serve a large number of customers and maximize profit. In addition to this, I also paid KES 9000 to clear school fees for my child who is in her final year of study. I am happy that she will no longer be sent home for school fees until her final national examination is over.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means boosting my shop business by adding more stock. This will ensure a constant source of income for my family which will help to cater for our various needs such as education and food. Also, I will settle fee balances for my children in school and save some for my daughter who will be joining college next year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up at 5am every morning to open my shop and close it at around 9pm. I always look forward to closing time so I can rest and also spend some time with my children before we retire to bed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our biggest challenge is limited financial resources to accomplish some of our family goals such as education. My husband took a loan six years ago to build our current house, however, repaying it has costed us a lot more. At the moment, our daughter finished secondary school last year but till now has not been able to join college. Her siblings also need cash to clear the huge fee balances in school. My small shop business has not been doing so well either as there is not enough stock.