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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 > Joyce's Profile
Joyce's family
Joyce
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
30
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 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 different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I have been able to build a more spacious and permanent house for my family. This would not have been possible had it not have been for GiveDirectly because we had been planning to start saving some money to use for this purpose with no success.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by helping everyone without any discrimination and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent the all amount to continue building a house for my family as we had already started building it using our first transfers. When GiveDirectly promised to give us some cash, we decided to build a spacious house whose walls are made of timber instead of clay as it is a bit permanent. I am now glad that even though we were not able cement the floor, it has reduced the hustle if buying clay every now and then to use in dusting the walls.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfers it was around six in the morning while taking tea and we were very excited than before.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because the transfers have enabled me enabled to change the wall of my house from a muddy wall to a timber wall.This is because timber wall is more durable as compared to muddy wall which is prone to cracks and wears off easily especially during the rainy season.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 400USD on timber which will act as a replacement wall for three roomed 30 Iron roofed semi permanent house.This because nowadays in my place there is scarcity of house smearing mud and timber is more durable.I spent 60 USD on clothing because I had only pair of clothing meant for occasions.I had worn it for a long time therefore one could easily identify me by clothing even from a far. With the new clothing I now more decent, fashionable and very happy.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my husband will be able to expand his business of buying and selling sheep. He is currently able to buy 20-30 sheep on a particular market day at an average cost of 80USD per sheep. Through the use of this transfer, he will be able to increase the number of sheep by 10 and above, then sell and make more profit. We will then utilize the profit to sustain our needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with the usual household chores, I embark on my business of collecting/buying eggs from the villagers and then selling them at a nearby shopping center. My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I get lucky and collect more eggs from the villagers. This will mean more profit.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever experienced in my life is sustained payment of school for my kids. Currently, I have four kids who are studying; two of whom are in secondary level and the other two in primary level. Their total annual school fees averages at 1500USD and this is a large sum of money considering that I have no reliable source of income. To be able to cater for this, I have been constantly borrowing friends and relatives then put up with the pressure of repayment.