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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 > Sylvester's Profile
Sylvester's family
Sylvester
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Student
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Comparing, my current life with how it would have been without transfers, I can boldly say that there are great positive changes that have come in. I have seen a business start and grew over time and currently, I can comfortably settle my rental fees without any assistance. I have new plans among them is getting back to school. All these would not have happened without the transfers from GiveDirectly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Having witnessed great progress in my current business, I have an additional goal to further my studies. I have a plan to join college after dropping out three years ago. Before receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, I had lost hope on studies since I never had any other source of income which would have served as school fees. GiveDirectly gave me new hope and I am certain that I will soon be back to school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my last transfer of 50000 KEs fromGiveDirectly, I spent all of them in adding up to my play station business I had started before. I had to add up one play station machine and also added two screens. This so far has increased the business productivity since initially, clients could queue in order to play since the playing points were few. They are still not enough currently but it is way too better than before. I am grateful for the support I received and I am hopeful that soon I will be expanding my business from the profits accruing for what I have now.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($368 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that I have acquired all the necessary equipment to open the video shop business. I am happy since I know that before the end of this month, I will have started this business. I have also improved my business where I sell shoes and I have a a variety of shoes in my shop. The income from the business has increased since I used part of transfers to buy more shoes. Thank you Give Directly for the cash transfers.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is to enroll for a short course such as mechanics. I will save the income from the business and use it to pay my school fees. After graduating I will acquire new skills and I will be repairing motor vehicles as a part time job. This will be an additional source of income to pay school fees for my siblings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my most recent transfer to buy a video game. I decided on this because I am planning to open a video shop since many people from the area walk for a long distance to watch video. I will therefore get more customers. This business will be an additional source of income to meet my basic needs. I also used part of my transfer to expand my business where I sell shoes. This will thus boost the income from the business. I used the remaining amount to pay rent since I received my transfer when I had no money in my pocket.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($195 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I will use part of the next transfer to buy more stock then save the rest if so that I can combine it with the third transfer to go back to college to complete my studies which I had to abandon due to lack of funds. I am certain that the profits I will be making from the boutique, together with loans from the government will be enough to take care of the college fees and my personal needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I received the money, I had to juggle between two uncertain jobs which were photography and handling a boutique part-time. But now that I have fully stocked the boutique and even brought in new products, I can concentrate on one thing, give it all my time and make the most out of it. I am happy that I can now easily pay my bills and even have hopes and dreams of going back to college,something that had been long forgoten.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used part of the money I recently received to expand my boutique business by adding more stock of what I sold before(Shoes) and added new products(clothes). This business was my side hustle before, but now that I have better stock, I plan on making it my full-time job. I also paid this months' rent for both my house and the business premises with part of the money, then saved the rest of it for any emergencies.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was so happy when I saw the text because before it came, I was not sure if it would come at all. This is because we have had previous encounters with other NGOs who promised to give us such grants but, we never got anything eventually.I am so grateful to GD because I know my life will never be the same again.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The reason for business is to get returns and enhance my skills in education. Lastly to have a back up incase of emergency.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is living in poverty whereby am unable to provide for my child and my life in general. I would want to have continuous flow of resources in my life so as to sustain myself and my dependants. Through photography I will be able to provide for my myself, child and other dependants.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a musical producer because I love music alot and the way I see some music sang and taken video makes me uneasy. Though I have a passion for this inspite of everything.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I always relax with my friends while sharing stories of the past and drawing of landscape and portraits for it's very interesting especially in my line of work that is photography and videography.