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
attach_money
 
Transfers
check
Completed
Newsfeed > Valary's Profile
Valary's family
Valary
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
check
 
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Honestly, I would have had to defer my studies had I not received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I am in my last year of study and I was already planning to defer my studies since I had not succeeded in getting this year's school fees. What we make from casual jobs is barely enough to meet all these needs. I am glad that I am finally going to graduate after clearing all the school fees arrears and paying the rest of the year's school fees. I am and will forever be grateful for GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I loved that the transfer did not have any connection with politicians and that the registration process is quite simple. Had this involved the politicians, it would have taken forever to get the transfers if ever we would receive it. Everything was well planned.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
After clearing the arrears that I had using the transfer, I paid the current year's school fees using part of the second transfer received from GiveDirectly. This will allow me to finish up with the course after almost deferring the studies for lack of school fees. I used the rest to pay a debt I had and bought food and other household items.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life Is that I have been in a position to pay my college fees on time. I joined college last year and paying school fees was not easy. I remember when I was joining I had fundraising at home to support in raising the money. My spouse depends on small casual jobs in the village to earn some money. The money he gets is so small and cannot gather for all the basic needs including paying for my college fees. I remember I had to stay home for some time because there was no money. When we received the money from GiveDirectly the first thing that we did was to pay the fees on time and this has enabled me to go back to college. My spouse is at home doing small jobs while I am at school studying. I have hope that in the near future I will graduate and get a job to support him for better tomorrow of our children. I am so much grateful because my dreams of graduating and getting the necessary skill will come through.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so much happiness. I remember it was very early in the morning when my spouse called me to informed me that GiveDirectly had sent the money. I was at school at that time and I felt so much happy, I knew I would be in a position to pay for the school fees on time. My spouse also felt so happy because this was a support to him. He has been the one paying for my school fees and he was so struggling at home.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to pay my college fees. We depend on casual jobs in the village to get money. The money from these jobs was so small and could not gather for all the basic needs including paying the fees. I also bought clothes, sky blast for storing clean water, food for the family and the rest of the money I used it to build a kitchen house.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a big boost for me because it will enable me to complete my studies in college. Currently, I have arrears of 26,000 shillings. I will therefore clear my fee arrears and also build a small kitchen costing about 10,000. Additionally I want to buy a calf of 7,000 shillings using my first transfers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On an average day, I spend my morning doing house chores which include breakfast and cleanliness around the compound. In the afternoon, I weed my garden and in the evening, I prepare supper for my family. I am happiest in the evening when my husband comes home with food for the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband has been employed to do motorcycle taxi and on an average day he comes home with 200 shillings. This amount is not enough to provide for the basic needs of my household and also to clear my fee arrears. My biggest worry is that I may not complete my primary certificate course because of lack of finances.