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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 > Elizabeth's Profile
Elizabeth's family
Elizabeth
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
57
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 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 totally different the fact that I now have a smart permanent house. I constructed a spacious and a better house because my family is big and it could not accommodate us all. The walls are well plastered which my making us sleep so comfortable unlike before where the walls had holes all over it was affecting us, especially in the cold nights. My children were ever sick which was really stressing me. I am now a happy parent because my children no longer have to look for a place to sleep at night. My two children were sleeping at my neighbor's house. Secondly, they do their studies at night without any interference. I am so grateful to this organization because I was not expecting to own a permanent house anytime soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has been of great help in my community in many ways. First, most of the people in my village now sleep under iron roofed houses. Previously, we used to sleep under old grass-thatched hats which were leaking whenever it rains. Secondly, the majority of us have some livestock which includes cows and goats. These are now the good assets we can proudly talk of. Thirdly, our children are now studying without any disturbances. There are those who had dropped out of school but they are now back to school as well which is so encouraging. Previously they used to stay home for weeks because of our financial status. This was really affecting their academic performance. According to me, I do not see any part GiveDirectly has not done us good.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Since I have been longing to sleep in a decent big permanent house, I spent a large portion of my second transfer on buying some building materials such as forty bags if cement at KES 28000, sand at KES 14000. These were for the addition because the other materials I had bought them through my first transfer. I then saved KES 10000 in my bank account, that is just in case an emergency arises With the remaining amount of money, I paid the mason. I am now living happily with my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the transfer has enabled me to purchase some building materials which include blocks and sand for the rebuilding of my house to be a permanent one . I have been living in this mud house though my desire has been to upgrade to a better and decent house.I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support because soon I will be living in a permanent house unlike before.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the transfer notification early in the morning. On checking who the sender was, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had finally received my first transfer from them. I felt happy and rejoiced with my family as we planned on what we would spend the transfer on.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 46000 of the transfer to purchase building materials which include blocks and sand for the renovation of my four roomed house. My desire has been to upgrade to a better house since the one I currently live in is a mud house. GiveDirectly has empowered me to rebuild it to be a permanent one, which has been my desire for a long time. Apart from the building materials, I spent the remaining amount to cater for the family basic needs like food as well as paying for other household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Now that it's the rainy season, I can not stop worrying about my house that is built of mostly mud. It has almost become a tradition that every time it rains I have to do repairs which has become costly and time consuming. After consulting with my husband, we decided that we are going to spend our transfers building a more permanent house made of bricks and iron sheets. Since all our children are grown up, a one bedroom house is just enough for us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The constant fear of my house caving in due to the heavy rains literally keeps me awake at night. This makes daytime the happiest part for me because atleast I can be able to see danger and escape it in good time.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Despite all my children being grown up now, not all of them were able to acquire the basic education that could atleast land them meaningful jobs. Secondly, I live in a house that is slowly collapsing due to the heavy rains we are currently experiencing and despite my worry, nothing much can be done. All this can be attributed to the fact that my husband and I do not earn enough income to meet all these needs as we are both casual labourers relying on inconsistent jobs.