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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Mwenda's Profile
Mwenda's family
Mwenda
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
39
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?
I hope to start a retail shop business in my village in a few months to come. After doing research, I realized that there are few shops around me hence there is a need to have an additional one. Also, once the business kicks off my plan is will save the profits and send my children to higher institutions to shape their future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing well in my community and the whole region and large. Every household that was enrolled received the unconstitutional cash transfers as promised during the registration period. Therefore I do not see anything that needs to be changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent about $30 of my second transfer on paying fees for my four children who are in the neighbouring primary school. The money came in good time because I had already been alerted that they will be sent home because of the arrears. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for coming through during these difficult times because I am sure they would be at home. Also, I boosted my business of selling livestock in our local markets. I am so happy because ever since I revived the business, I have been earning good profits hence fending for my family has become easier. I later bought a new bed and two mattresses. I had to replace the old bedding since j used to experience lots of discomfort and pain every night. To add on that I purchased a dairy cow at $200 that I am currently keeping in my homestead. I hope that very soon it will start producing milk which I will start selling to my friends and generate an income. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my ten family members which was a relief to my spouse who has been the breadwinner.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While relaxing at home from the day's ups and downs at around 5 pm, I heard the message ringtone from my phone. Since I am illiterate, I consulted my helper and confirmed that I had received the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy that I was among the ones who succeeded in getting support from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before GiveDirectly graced our village and my home, in particular, my life was full of struggles. By then, I was a tapper and the coconut palms were no longer productive because they were very old. The transfer changed my life from being a tapper to a businessman. The business of buying and selling animals is doing well and I am thankful to the organization for its empowerment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For several years, I have been sleeping on the floor because I did not have a bed. When I withdrew the money, I bought a bed for KES 6500.00 and a mattress for KES 4500.00. I also paid KES 4000.00 school fees for my five primary school children so that they get enough time in school without being interrupted. Thereafter, I bought four goats for KES 14000.00 and a cow for KES 20000.00 to mark and have a symbol of GiveDirectly at my home. I also started a business of buying and selling livestock so that I can generate some income to upkeep, my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am living in a very small house with my six children for more than 10 years now. I am expecting a grand child in two months to come and still sleeping in the two bedroom house with my daughter in-law. This is a very shameful act in my culture but poverty has drug me to this level. living with your daughter in-law in the same structure - its an act of abomination. Receiving this money means I will build a two bedroom house for my son to live with his wife and also pay the remaining fee balance for my son who finished his secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son finished his secondary school and I am expecting him to look for a casual employment and assist me in looking for food for the family.what brought joy and happiness is that he has been hired as a shopkeeper in my nearby town and I believe he wil relieve me from the burden of skipping some meals everyday.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am passing alot of difficulties in life. I do not have food in my house, I have to burn charcoal in order to put food on the table. I get drinking water from a distance of 4 kilometres of which I have to cover that distance just to come back with a 20 litres jerrican of water. Living with all my six members of the family in the same cubical room is the greatest challenge I am facing in my life.