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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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Newsfeed > Onesmus's Profile
Onesmus's family
Onesmus
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
38
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($360 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to pursue a diploma in general agriculture. Having already earned a certificate, the prospect of furthering my education brings immense joy. This educational pursuit holds great significance as it will enhance my effectiveness in managing my poultry business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In the midst of a biased society you did well in avoiding discrimination and ensuring a friendly and a fair approach, however recognizing the challenges of starting new things and ventures incorporating extension services could enhance expertise and communication, bridging gaps for even greater success
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the most recent transfer that I received. I invested in my passion for poultry farming. GiveDirectly enabled me to overcome the capital hurdle, I purchased chickens and added two goats, capitalizing on the high demand for the local chicken breed. This lifetime opportunity allowed me to kickstart my poultry my poultry business, aligning with my knowledge gained from a certificate course in General Agriculture. It is fulfilling to start something I am familiar with and passionate about.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($373 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3:20 in the afternoon when I was diligently preserving my maize after a long day of harvesting under the scorching sun. As I carefully stashed away each ear of corn, my phone chimed with an incoming MPESA message from GiveDirectly. A rush of excitement washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of what this message contained. With this financial boost, I knew that I could finally realize my long-held dream of starting a poultry business, a venture that would not only secure our future but also bring prosperity to our lives.
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 most significant change in my life has come through my poultry business. This opportunity has provided me with steady employment after a long period of joblessness, giving me a sense of purpose and stability I hadn't known for years. The profits from this venture have not only allowed me to comfortably provide for my family, but they've also eliminated the constant worry of my children being sent home from school due to unpaid fees. Now, they no longer go to bed hungry or skip meals like they did before, and I can ensure their basic needs are met on time. None of this would have been possible without the support I've received, and I'm deeply grateful for the transformation it has brought to our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my first transfer, I decided to invest in a poultry business, which cost around $150. This endeavor wasn't just about creating a source of income; it was about rebuilding our lives. I had lost my job a couple of years ago, and since then, we have been relying on farming activities, which has made it difficult to cover my children's education expenses. This financial strain had forced my children to stay home due to unpaid school fees, affecting their education. The poultry business, I believed, would be our lifeline. It had the potential to generate a steady income, ensuring we could meet our daily needs and provide a stable home for my family. Additionally, I fulfilled a long-held dream by purchasing two goats for $90. Owning them had been a wish of mine for years, but my financial situation never allowed it. With time, as they multiplied, I believed I could sell some if any emergencies arose, providing a much-needed safety net for my family of four. I also allocated $60 to pay for the school fees of my two kids in lower grades. They now attend school comfortably without the constant worry of being sent home due to unpaid fees. Finally, with the remaining funds, I've been able to provide for my family's daily needs, buying cereal, vegetables, and all the household necessities that were previously lacking.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have for a long time studied the economy and I feel having a reliable source of income is what comes first in mind. With the readily available market in our nearby town, I am planning to start poultry farming which will help me to supply chicken. This will earn me a lot of profit since this project can thrive so fast. To ensure this comes to reality, I intend to spend utmost $600 of my money to do this. On the other hand, I will spend the remaining amount to upscale my farming by using a tractor to prepare my farm for the next season which will take place in September. Also, part of this money will cater to other basic needs like new beddings and food before we harvest. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The good health in my family and the conducive weather that we are experiencing since March this year is all that I consider to have brought happiness to my life. With the heavy rains, we have been able to work on our farms, and we currently expect to harvest soon. This produce will cushion us for a period of utmost 8 months and my family will no longer suffer from hunger. What a happy life!
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The feeling of having spent my time in school up to college yet there is no job available for me has been eating up my mind for a long. This has pushed me to stay jobless at home yet I have a family to take care of. With this harsh economic situation, my family has missed some very basic needs like food especially when I was laid off from work as a member of the NGC-DF. This has placed me in a stressful mood because watching my family desperately pains a lot as a parent. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest challenge.