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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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Lucas's Profile
Lucas's family
Lucas
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($354 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year, my primary hope is to witness my family living happily. To achieve this, I plan to venture into farming, a significant step that will help ensure a consistent and reliable food supply for my family of six. By providing for our basic needs, I aim to create an environment where joy and contentment can flourish. Additionally, I intend to utilize the income from my mechanic job to support other family investments, particularly in acquiring valuable assets. These investments are not just about securing our future; they are a means to achieve greater financial stability, ensuring that my family can lead more secure and prosperous lives. It is my dream to see my family thrive and be filled with happiness, and I am dedicated to working hard and making the necessary choices to turn this dream into a reality.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has made a significant and positive impact on my family's life. Thanks to their support, we have been able to secure food and a decent shelter, two fundamental aspects of well-being. The positive changes have been uplifting, offering us a stronger foundation for a more secure and prosperous future. As of now, I am content and grateful for the support we have received. The organization's approach has proven effective, and I see no need for change. The impact they have had on my life and countless others is a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when people come together to make a difference. The work they do is truly transformative, and I am thankful for their assistance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I was faced with a series of financial responsibilities that had been long overdue. With careful planning, I distributed the funds to address these pressing needs. A significant portion, $150, went towards settling my motorcycle debt, a burden that had weighed on my shoulders. This was a crucial step in regaining financial stability and peace of mind. Another priority was my wife, Bahati, who needed $250 for a necessary medical checkup and medication. Her health was of utmost importance, and I was relieved to be able to provide for her care. Additionally, I spent $60 towards the purchase of land, a significant investment that held promise for our family's future. I also contributed $40 to a Merry Go Round chama, a form of collective savings that can provide a safety net during times of need. The remaining funds were used to purchase household food, ensuring that our family had sustenance on the table. We depend on my mechanic job as our primary source of income, and financial constraints have hindered my ability to accomplish these important tasks for a while. I am elated to say that my life has been uplifted by these transfers. They have not only provided relief from financial constraints but have also opened doors to a more secure and promising future for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($383 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The clock struck 3 pm as I waited at my garage, anticipating the arrival of clients with their ailing vehicles in need of repair. A sudden jingle from my phone diverted my attention, and there it was a message notification. With a sense of curiosity and anticipation, I unlocked my phone only to find a large sum of money had been deposited into my account. It was a moment that felt surreal yet exhilarating, as the promise GiveDirectly had made to us became a reality in that instant. Waves of happiness and gratitude washed over me, reaffirming that I was indeed a valued participant in their transformative plan. At that moment, any doubts or worries about being left out dissipated entirely, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and possibility.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Once upon a time, my life was a constant struggle, seeking shelter under the roof of a relative's house. But now, everything has transformed. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I have a place I can truly call my own, a sanctuary of independence and freedom. No longer bound by the confines of someone else's space, I've regained my dignity and private life I thought I had lost forever. The cash transfer didn't just build me home; it constructed a new life where peace of mind reigns. The walls around me are more than mud; they're the foundation of my aspirations and the emblem of the change that's taken place. Every corner echoes with the sound of my revived hopes, proving that a single act of kindness can rewrite the story of a lifetime.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living at my relative's place due to family conflicts was not giving me peace of mind due to a lack of freedom. Upon getting the first transfer, I opted to transform my life by using $100 to buy a half-acre piece of land. The aim of doing this is to build my home and be independent. Determined to turn my vision into reality, I allocated $155 toward constructing my home. Iron sheets, nails, and building poles became tangible evidence of my aspirations. With $150, I invested in a second-hand motorbike, a vehicle not just for transportation but for transformation. It became the source of my income, ferrying people and their belongings from one corner of the community to another. The hum of the motorbike became the rhythm of my determination, carrying me toward financial independence. Considering the immediate needs of my family, I ensured $55 provided us with a comfortable mattress, a symbol of the restful nights that had been few and far between. $30 brought new clothes for my children, not just covering their bodies but wrapping them in a sense of normalcy and joy. The remainder of the funds ensured our plates were filled with some food, the cornerstone of a healthy life. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity GiveDirectly provided me to rewrite the trajectory of my life.
 
Enrolled
access_time 10 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The epilepsy condition of my wife has been my headache over the last 4 years now. Imagine travelling to Kilifi town every month to pick her the medicines! This has been costly to me because sometimes I fail to travel due to lack of transport. This is the moment when I feel so painful as a husband. My desire has been to own a motorbike that will act as my means of transport to ease the burden. With this money, I intend to spend utmost $300 to purchase a second hand motorbike. This will facilitate my transpiration which has not been an easy task. Also, I will spend the remaining part of the first transfer to construct a spacious shade to operate my garage business. This will spare me from any disruption in case it rains. On the other hand, my intention is to own a land because where I currently live belongs to my cousin. My plan is to buy a half an acre of land outside our town and this will give me the power of ownership. To estimate, I will spend the entire remaining amount ($500) to ensure this dreams comes to reality. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the challenges of operating my garage business on an open space which is mostly affected my rains, I am still so grateful for owning this job. For the last 6 months since GiveDirectly has been sending transfers to this community, my business has been impacted positively. Some people tends to repair their motorbikes and this has been my favourite months ever since I started this work 3 years ago. Therefore, I consider the thriving of my business to be the sole reason of keeping a smile on me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The struggle of operating my garage business on an open space has faced a lot of challenges especially during rainy season. This means I have to pause on some days because I can not serve my customers. Since I do not have other reliable source of income, this has directly affected my family of 4 in terms of getting our daily meals. In bad days, we go hungry and this has robbed away my joy as a father. Imagine watching my 2 young children crying because of hunger! In addition, my wife also suffers seasonal epilepsy and she is required to take some medicines every day to manage the condition. This also has been a challenge to her since, sometimes she misses the medicine whenever I lack the transport to bring them from Kilifi town. At home, we also lack nice beddings which forces us to spend our nights on the floor. As the head of the family, this has lowered my self-esteem because I feel like failing them. Hence, the financial instability stands out to be my biggest challenge.