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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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Selina's Profile
Selina's family
Selina
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
46
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 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 so different from how it would have been becaus of the many miracles that have happened lately. First of all, I was able to send my daughter to college without struggling. After completing her secondary education, things were not good at all because the little I used to earn couldn't be enough for her college fees and her siblings' needs. She had even opted to start a small business and maybe save for her fees. Having received the money, I did not hesitate and decided to take her to school. Also, the goats that I am now rearing in my compound make me hopeful becasue very soon I will have many of them and accomplish my other goals. Honestly, would not have achieved all these if twee not for the support
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in a way that, the huge amount of financial help that I received was non-refundable. At first, I thought it was a scam because in today's world it's hard to find such kind of help and not only me even my village were also excited about the same. In addition to this, I was never given any conditions in regards to the money and I had to manage it till the end. This was the best part of all and I always which you people to think of us again soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on paying school fees for my daughter who recently joined college. I was so stressed by the time she finished her secondary education because I had no money for her further studies. I had even planned when she finishes, we look for any kind of casual job and earn a living. However, God heard our prayers and brought GiveDirectly into our lives. I also bought livestock such as two goats which will now serve as the living assets that I can lean on anytime. With the reming amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for, my family that would at least us for weeks.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 12 noon when I was chatting with my family then my phone started vibrating. I decided to check who might have sent a message at such an hour. Upon checking I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly, they had finally debited the first transfers as promised during the enrolment. I felt so happy and started rejoicing for the blessings.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to clear the huge school fees balance for my son who is in college has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. Since I never got the chance to go to school, my wish as a parent was to see my children getting good education. Therefore after I received my first transfer my first priority was to clear his school fees arrears. The money actually came at the right time because he was about for his final exams and this was really stressing me because as always he was to be sent home and stay for weeks before he could return to back to school. I am now hopeful and happier because I am assured that he will have a bright future courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as some pieces of iron sheets, nails, and timber, and building poles. This was for the construction of the two houses one for my children and mine. Earlier on we had started constructing them but then it reached a point whereby the materials got finished and I had no coin to complete the construction. I later cleared school fees arrears for my son who is in college. Also, I bought some beddings which include new mattresses to replace the old ones we have been using for all that long. In addition to that, I bought two goats as living assets that I can lean on just in case of any financial difficulties. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying sufficient foodstuff for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My first priority when I receive this money is to continue constructing my unfinished house. The building has stalled since last year because of lack of funds. I have budgeted 400 USD for this. I will then use 60 USD to add two more goats to the herd I have. Goat rearing helps a lot in dealing with financial emergencies that may arise.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend four hours early in the morning in my farm. I come back to do the house chores mid morning. I take time in the afternoon relaxing under a shade chatting with my children and other family members. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a farmer,it is very discouraging when I cultivate and plant my farm only to get little or no harvest. I depend on crop farming as a source of livelihood but long dry spells in this region has made it so difficult for me. Lack of rains lead to low crop production and lack of water for domestic use. The last harvest for example saw me get 7 sacks of corn from 5 acres of land. This is very little given that my children need food as well as other needs.