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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Newsfeed > Damaris's Profile
Damaris's family
Damaris
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Damaris's next check-in.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($139 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home in the evening, sitting in my house after the day's activities, when I received a message on my phone. When I checked the message, I couldn't believe it at first. I thought it was a scam message. However, upon further reading, I realized that it was an M-Pesa notification informing me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy to receive the transfer because I finally had the opportunity to build a toilet, a project I had wanted to do for a long time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For a long time, my family and I used our neighbor's toilet because we couldn't afford to build our own. While we were grateful for the help, sharing a toilet with many people made it difficult to keep it clean and posed a risk of contracting diseases. Unfortunately, I couldn't do much about it until I had the means to build our own toilet. The lack of financial resources made it impossible for me to afford the materials needed. However, things changed after I received the first transfer. I was able to purchase the necessary building materials such as iron sheets, poles, and bricks, and finally built our own toilet. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to complete this project, which has significantly improved our living environment. Thanks to this support, we no longer have to share a toilet with others, and I don't know how long it would have taken us to achieve this without the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wanted to build a toilet that could serve my family. However, due to my financial situation, I couldn't afford the necessary materials for this project. As a result, my family and I have been using our neighbour's toilet, which has been a challenge for us. I was concerned about the health risks of having many people share one toilet. When GiveDirectly came with assistance, I was grateful because building a toilet was my greatest need. Upon receiving my first transfer, I used it to purchase 5 iron sheets, nails, bricks, and poles, which cost $80. I built the toilet, which not only eliminated the health risks but also improved our living environment. I also spent $50 on purchasing new clothes for myself and my two children. The remaining amount was spent on buying foodstuffs, ensuring that my family had enough to eat. This reduced the burden on my husband, who is the breadwinner of the family and relies on casual jobs. Now, even when he's unable to find work, we still have enough food to eat, and affording three meals a day is no longer a struggle for us.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving these transfers is a significant opportunity for me and my family. Firstly, I plan on spending $40 towards daycare fees for my daughter, ensuring she continues to learn and develop while awaiting pre-primary school in 2025. The remainder of the funds will be dedicated to finally completing our 3-bedroom house, a project that has been on hold for over 5 years due to financial constraints. My husband, Elvis, works as a carpenter to provide for us, but his earnings solely cover our basic needs, leaving no room for savings. This job is temporary and he can miss out on some days. On a good month, he earns $300 from this job. Completing our home has been a long-standing aspiration, and once achieved, it will provide us with comfort and relief from the dust and unfinished floors. I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity to create a more stable and comfortable living environment for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The past five months have been filled with immeasurable joy since welcoming our baby boy into the world. After almost four years since our firstborn daughter, adding another member to our family has brought a sense of completeness and happiness that words cannot fully express. I am incredibly grateful for this blessing and for the love and unity that now fills our home as we journey through life together as a family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a wife and mother of two toddlers, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders to ensure my family has enough food. Cooking requires both firewood and water, which means I have to travel up to 5 kilometres to fetch them. It is a time-consuming and exhausting task, especially since I cannot afford the daily $1.5 for a motorbike. My husband Elvis, a carpenter, supports our family, but his income barely covers our food expenses, leaving nothing as surplus. Despite the challenges, I do my best to manage and provide for my family's needs.