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 > Susan's Profile
Susan's family
Susan
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Personal services (self-employed)
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
FSD / Urban Youth
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 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 from how it was in that, my living standards have improved. I was able to establish a business premise. It gave me a good kick-off to the entrepreneurial world. Now I am only bothered by how I will equip it with enough stock. .Today, I don't struggle with attracting customers compared to when I used to work from home. I have more customers. I also bought a motorcycle that is doing well. This second business that I have ventured in has also increased the flow of money on a daily basis. I really appreciate the financial boost that I got from Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have any new goal at the moment. I want to concentrate on boosting my business by expanding it and increasing the services that I currently offer to my customers. I am planning to start a massage parlor next to my salon. I aim at making my salon to be first-class beauty shop where all services can be available.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my transfer on purchasing a second-hand motorcycle. I decided to buy a motorcycle because it is a popular means of transport in this area therefore once I start the business, there is hope for it to succeed. In addition to that, I spent the remaining amount on boosting my saloon business which I had started with the first transfer. I had been operating from my house but most of the customers did not like the idea of coming to my place. I am glad because I now have a business premise in the market where my customers are comfortable to get their services well done and I have also gotten new clients. I really appreciate because with a business premise most of the saloon equipment can be well stored and it is also attracting many customers as compared to working from home.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
36800 KES ($367 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 can now have my own salon and be self-employed. I can have a stationary place where my clients can find me, I will not have to move up and down all the time to attend to my clients.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I do not have any new or additional goals. My initial goal remains owning my own salon and becoming self employed. I hope to open up my salon in Pangani Estate in Starehe Ward, as my neighborhood in Mlango Kubwa village, Mathare, is not a very secure area to run this kind of business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to purchase salon equipment such as a a hair dryer, a sink for washing client's hair, a cabinet for storing beauty products, mirrors and a facial steamer. I have been a mobile hairdresser and beautician for the past three years, whereby I attend to my clients at their location of choice; this could be either at their household or mine. I have always wanted to have my own salon but I did not have the capital to begin one. I used my transfers to buy the equipment that I have listed above as I await my final transfers to enable me rent a stall in Pangani Estate, Starehe Ward, where I can run my own salon. I am very grateful to Give Directly for making this dream come true.
 
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?
The only goal I now have is to expand my salon business until it becomes a spa. Since I did a course in holistic therapy and hairdressing, I believe that my business will have more customers since I know how to handle them and satisfy their needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the increase in my daily income. This is because I nowadays offer a variety of services unlike before when I used to plait hair only hence my customers were few.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of my transfers to buy salon items like blowdrying machine and gels. At first, I used to do hairdressing work along the street since I love this work. Due to the nature of place I was operating from, I used to get few customers who only needed to plait their hair hence making my income less.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
I was so excited the moment I received my money. This was triggered by the fact that I knew that I am soon going to acquire the items I need to start a saloon business.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I will invest in business by opening a salon business since I am trained beautician and salonist and this will make me financially independent and not to go looking for jobs everyday. I will then pay my children's school fees and ensure they get better education. I will use the rest of the money in family upbringing so that to raise my family in away they will never regret since personally there are privileges I never enjoyed while growing up .
Describe your biggest worry.
My family is always my most worry because every mother or parent wants to give their children the best life that they should have. I always strive to give them the best. While also succeding in my business ambition is my worry because it's an ambitious idea and a lot of people are doing it so I would like to do it differently. Lastly rent payment is another worry since at times our house is always locked by landlord if the rent is not payed in time.
What are your greatest ambitions?
To be a successful business lady by employing other ladies in my salon business in order to reduce rate of unemployment in my Mathare Mlango Kubwa area.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
I usually start my days by preparing my young child for school then take care of the my other young child three months old.I then go to salon if I can get customers then later in the evening I do help my mother in selling sweet potato.In my free time I do watch movies, do word plays and relax at home with my family.