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
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Sela's Profile
Sela's family
Sela
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
41
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($521 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
If I could not give directly I could nit have managed to pay college fee for my son who was training as a mechanic. I could also not managed to buy for him motorcycle and I am very sure he could now be leading a very miserable life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give directly did very well by training people before starting the program, at least they created awareness of what they were doing. They also did well by dealing with people directly and not forcing people to get into the program. I did not see what Give directly did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I have a son who dropped out of school but it is so painful to me because I wanted the best for my child and I thought I was to do so through educating him, unfortunately he said he did not want to go back to school. I thought of how I could help my son and so when I got the money I spent part of it to pay for my son technical training where he is mechanics. It is very fortunate that he is now well trained and he is able to repair motorcycles and get money for his up keep. I also decided to buy for him a second hand motorcycle which he can also operate when he is not doing his work of repairing the motorcycle and through his motorcycle he is also able to get more money to support his family. The remaining balance I spent to expand my business of selling second hand metals. My business was almost going down because my expenditures were more than the profit l was getting from the business thereby ending up using all the capital plus the profit that I even ended up borrowing loans, which was more harm than good. Since I spent the money to boost it, the business is now doing very well and I am getting more profit. I am using the profit l get from the business as my income in which I am using to cater for my family needs and I no longer interfear with the capital for my business.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I boosted my scrape business which has been my dream because all along I have been working for people which is very difficult because of less pay compared to now I do my own business hence I can provide for my family with a lot of ease.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer I was very excited.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my transfer on boosting my scrape business like old metal sufurias, plates, hoe etc. I collect and take them to the factory and then I am paid. It's a good business because I am paid immediately hence I can provide for my family with a lot of ease.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me since I am going to improve on my scrap metal business. The improvement shall increase profit margins that would enable me feed my family and pay fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening while preparing meals to my family. Charting with my children creates a lot of joy in my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been working as a scrap metal agent where I know I was making a lot of money yet due to lack of capital much of that money goes to the owner of the business with very little commission that could hardly sustain my family food and medical needs.