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.
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Enrollment
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Completed
Newsfeed > Esther's Profile
Esther's family
Esther
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
19
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($348 USD)
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?
Once I get more money I will purchase livestock, specifically goats and chickens. I prefer goats to cows because they are easy to maintain and, I can be able to look after them and also they can survive during dry seasons and they breed faster here. poultry rearing is also profitable since it needs less cost but yields maximum profit when they multiply. Ideally, I chose to perfect this because they have ready markets compared to other livestock keeping, and am sure this will help us in the future by reducing the cost of buying milk daily.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The fact that GiveDirectly has given people the opportunity to make their own decisions on how to use the transfers has yielded good results, I can see people from my village are constructing good houses, others are connecting water pipes to their homes, the school children who are not able to attend their classes are now comfortably attending because their fees are being paid. sincerely they have made long-term investments that will result in economic sustainability. Continue doing well by improving the lives of people.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Financial assistance from GiveDirectly has proven to be a true blessing in our lives, it has allowed us to meet our daily needs. Previously, I was not able to live comfortably since my house was too small to accommodate me and my children. Also on the side of food, I was doing casual laboring, at times doing charcoal burning at least for my children to get something to eat. Upon receiving the transfer, I spent $512 on building a one-room mud-walled house. Additionally, I spent $20 to purchase foodstuff and $18 to buy myself a good phone since the old one was no longer functioning. I can declare that receiving money from GiveDirectly has really changed my life positively.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($387 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At exactly 3 PM, I was finally able to take a moment to relax after a tiring day at the farm when my phone began vibrating insistently. As I checked the notification, a wave of excitement and joy washed over me—I had just received my first unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. In that very moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of hope and determination. I knew that with this financial support, my long-cherished dream of starting a salon business would become a reality. With gratitude in my heart, I felt empowered and ready to take that leap towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the newfound hope to pursue my dream of starting a salon business. Having gained valuable experience working in other people's salons and being paid solely on commission, I have yearned to create a thriving venture of my own. With the financial support from GiveDirectly, I can finally take the leap and turn my passion into a sustainable livelihood. Moreover, this opportunity will allow me to support my loving spouse, who has been the family's breadwinner, and contribute to our shared future. The unconditional cash transfers have not only empowered me economically but have also given me the confidence to take charge of my life and create a better future for us both.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With a determination to improve our living conditions, I carefully allocated the funds to address our pressing needs. The first priority was our humble home, a single room that had sheltered us for years. With a growing family, space had become a precious commodity. I ventured into town and invested $100in purchasing iron sheets, nails, and timber to construct an additional room. As I hammered the first nail into place, a wave of excitement washed over me, knowing that this small but significant expansion would provide us with the much-needed space and privacy we craved. With the well-being of my family of three in mind, I didn't stop there. My daughter, always a beacon of joy in our lives, deserved some comfort too. I set aside some funds to buy her new clothes, watching her eyes light up with delight as she tried them on. And then a moment of daring ambition struck me. I saw potential in a plot of land being sold for $400 and envisioned a future where I could establish a thriving salon shop. While I was currently without a job and my spouse earned meager wages as a casual laborer, I knew that taking this risk could be a turning point for us.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
A new job! Despite having skills in hair styling, I have remained jobless because of the lack of capital to start my business. This has exposed me to the problem of food insecurity due to over-dependence on my husband. My ambition once I receive this money is to ensure I start a beauty shop where I will be selling braids and styling people's hair. This will act as my reliable source of income to support my family. To ensure this comes to reality, I intend to spend my first transfer ($550) on this project. On the other hand, I will spend the remaining amount $530 to construct a decent house because the one we use at the moment is small and can not accommodate us. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got into my marriage when I was already expecting. In March this year, I gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. This child has enforced our bond as parents and she is the reason for the efforts we always have to ensure our ends meet. Hence, I consider this blessing as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity! This is the biggest problem that I have gone through over the last 7 months in my marriage. Since I am a housewife, I depend on my husband who is a casual laborer in the construction sites. Sometimes, he works on other people's farms to earn money for food. In addition, my husband has seasonal epilepsy, which has posed a challenge in his work and this means, our household's income is not consistent. What a life! This situation has eaten up my mind and I am always stressed.