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 > Moureen's Profile
Moureen's family
Moureen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Tailoring
faceAge:
20
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES
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 current goal is to go back to school. I am passionate about learning hairdressing and dressmaking and have always considered getting certificates in both from Godoma Technical. This would allow me to further grow my business and improve our quality of life even more, thanks to the extra income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly has enabled my family and I to realize our dreams. With our personal savings, it would have taken us a long time to raise enough funds to accomplish the majority of what we did with GiveDirectly funds. They are above reproach in my opinion, and I wish them many more years of blessing others through their good work. Thank you very much, GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I bought with the money I got from GiveDirectly was an oven for my business. This was a much-needed asset that enabled me to expand my business. I also bought a boda boda. I hired someone to run it, and it serves the Kilifi area. This has greatly supplemented my husband's $150-per-month salary as a cleaner on Chale Island, as well as a $60-per-month house allowance. The bread and scones I bake at home sell for $0.05 and $0.5 each, respectively, which contributes to the little money I make sewing clothes for all sexes and ages in my Migodomoni neighborhood. The money we earn has enabled us to cater for our eldest in Grade 3, whose tuition is $9.4 per term, and our second born's tuition of $13.5 for his attendance in PP1 at Migodomoni School, where they both go. GiveDirectly enabled us to channel funds into projects that had long been on our radar but that we were unable to fundraise for on our own. We will be eternally grateful to GiveDirectly for their generosity to me and my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can remember the time vividly, it was at 6.43 pm when I was on my way home from church for a mid-week service when my phone vibrated twice in my pocket. I took the initiative of checking immediately since I was not engaged in anything rather than storytelling with my friend whom I was walking with. Upon checking, I was dumbfounded to see a huge amount of money from GiveDirectly and I remembered that it could be the first transfer. I ululated in happiness for receiving the money. No sooner had we reached my home than my friend also received hers and it was joint happiness and thanking God for bringing GiveDirectly to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was relying on a single source of income which was my husband's salary. As of now, we are happy as a family since we have other sources which enable us not to touch the salary till the end month. the saloon business as well as the tailoring one sustain us in the daily expenses as a family. I no longer depend on his monthly salary instead I have some income-generating sources. This could not have been possible if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since the time I got married, I have been relying upon my husband for survival. Although he is employed, waiting for monthly salaries has been tricky for us thus, by the time he gets his salaries we had to pay some debts after taking some items on a bill in the mid-month. When I got the transfer, I opted to make a change. Since I am a hairdresser and a tailor, I opted to do two kinds of businesses at a go to have alternative sources of income apart from the salary. Based on that, I used KES 25000.00 and started a saloon business that I manage. I also used KES 12000.00 to buy a sewing machine which I also man it. Working on these two projects has not been a challenge because I usually alternate. When I do not have a client at my saloon I embark on the sewing machine to do some clothes. I decided to operate them both because they are not busy businesses but once they pick up well, I will consider employing a person. I also paid KES 2400.00 for term one and two school fees for my child who is in lower primary to ensure that he is not sent home for fees. For the rest of the money, I bought some food for the family since it was a drought season.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have always been ambitious, coming up with business ideas every day. We did not have the required capital to execute our plans. Receiving this money I will implement my business ideas. I had yearned to open a fish kiosk in my hometown. Currently, we do not have one in my area and this is the opportunity to start it. I will use my entire first transfer to accomplish that. My husband took an agricultural course in college and with the remaining transfers, I will start poultry farming. These two businesses running simultaneously will help me accumulate higher profits which I can save, buy food and take my children to school. I am happy to be enrolled today.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was expecting last year and as per my doctor, May was my month to welcome my baby. My firstborn was a male child, I wanted a female child and I keep praying. I went ahead to buy female baby outfits. I thank God on the fifth of May I gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. This brought joy to my life after God answered my prayers.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of money has always been a challenge to our family. My spouse works at a mining site as a supervisor, they can go for three months without payment, and him being the supervisor he can not strike. Imagine going for all those months and you have a family of two children to take care of. My tailoring job has fewer returns of 500 KES per week, this can not sustain my family of four with food and clothes. How I wish my spouse could get a stable working place where he will be getting his salary every month.