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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 > Tabu's Profile
Tabu's family
Tabu
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
36
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 USD)
access_time 4 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 that it would have been if I never received these transfer in that, I now own a pair of oxen.I believe the oxen will ensure I get better harvests since I will be able to plant on time since they work faster compared to when I could hire casual laborers. Before, using hoes which was not very in efficient considering that I couldn't enlarge my scale of farming since I had to invest alot of time and energy . In addition to this,The goats that I have acquire will reproduce and as they multiply very fast and I can readily rely on them in case of a financial needs which includes paying school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly offering us money was the best thing because in life every individual has different needs to meet at a particular point in time .This was evident in my community when members invested their money in different ways like building shelters, paid school fees and started business with the money.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer to buy four goats. I paid school fees for my six children who are in secondary and primary school fees respectively . I am glad seeing my children in school like the rest. I also bought ox pluogh ,household utensils and household expenditures .
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The money has enabled me to purchase two cows at KES 30000. Owning these cows is the biggest difference in my daily life. I wouldn't have bought them without the help of Give Directly. Considering my source of income, I couldn't have managed to save half of what one cow is sold at. I know with time, they will reproduce and increase in number. I have hope because I can readily rely on them in case of any financial problems. I will also be benefiting from the milk that these cows will be producing. Depending on the number of litres I will be getting I can decide to supply hotels or schools. This will give me a stable source of income and improve my living standards.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message notification early that morning. It took me by surprise because I wasn't expecting to get it that soon. I was sure they would finally send it but I didn't know when. I felt happy to receive such an amount from GiveDirectly because I knew it would change my living standard. I could finally accomplish my long term goals because I now have the means.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer to purchase two cows at KES 30000. I have always had the desire to own them because they are assets that we can readily depend on. My children are still young and I am hopeful that through this livestock, their education will be taken care of. In addition, I will also be benefiting from the milk that these cows will be producing. I will sell the surplus and earn some cash. I am also in the process of constructing a new house because the one I was previously sheltering is in a bad state. Because of this, I spent KES 15000 to purchase 20 pieces of iron sheets and building poles to facilitate this process. I also spent KES 2000 to pay for my children school fees. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my other household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In today's world education is the key for every child. Receiving this money means quality education for my children. As of now, my firstborn is in secondary school and 5 are still in primary school. Last week my children seep classes due to lack of school fees of 10.80 USD. I am planning to spend my first transfer in clearing fee arrears of my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend my mornings in doing my household activities up to 10am and then I travel to the near by town to vend water till 4pm. It is only in the evening that I can relax my body hence I consider it as the happiest part of day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Staying with my children at home due to lack of school fees has been the biggest hardship in my life. I am forced to engage in casual labor of vending water at the nearby town in order to cater for their education needs. The income from my activity is at most 1.5 dollars which I spend in feeding my family size of 9 members.