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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 > Sharon's Profile
Sharon's family
Sharon
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
32
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 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?
Even though I currently on livestock worth more than KES50000, my 1500 litres water tank gives me the biggest difference in my daily life. When I look back and how stress get access to clean water had been in my family, I am just left thank GiveDirectly for the support to acquire this tank. We receive low rainfalls in our areas and most of the time we are forced to go far fetch water. I used to spent a lot at same time waste a lot of time and energy going for small capacity of water. I thank GiveDirectly this has greatly reduced. I currently enjoy safe clean water at my doorsteps.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, unconditional cash to the needy is the best and unique idea that I thank GiveDirectly for. We as the community we have met the different most pressing need among ourselves we had hold due to scarce resources. I don't see anything wrong in GiveDirectly's operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had suffered for long spend a lot of energy and resources going for water at far. I made sure this stops or reduced by buying a 1500litre capacity water tank. I went a head to purchase two heifers worth KES20000 as a way of investing part of my transfer. I feel great to have added such assets in my farm. In addition, I used KES25000 to clear my children school fees. Education is the best gift I can offer my children and paying their fee on time was the best way to prove it.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a dairy cow. Before GiveDirectly visited, owning a dairy cow was only but a wish which I could not achieve due to lack of money. I am now glad since I no longer incur the cost of buying milk on a daily basis like before as I now get it from my cow which I bought using my transfer.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2 o'clock in the morning when I received a message notification. I decided not to read it due to the fear of the unknown and after some time of restlessness, I decided to wake up my daughter so that she would help me read the message. When she informed me that GiveDirectly had sent me the promised money, my heart was filled with happiness and I started singing silently. On that day, I could not take my breakfast due to the intense happiness that had filled my heart.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Buying milk has been my daily routine and it is always costly. When I received my first transfer, I spent part of it to buy a dairy cow. When it reproduces, my family will get milk for their consumption without incurring any cost and I will also be selling the surplus to get an income. In addition to this, I will at times be selling the heifer in order to cater for my children's education. I used the remaining amount to buy barbed wire and poles to use in fencing my farm. I settled on this so that I would be always at peace whenever I am not at home as I will not be worrying about livestock invading my crops.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will finally be able to own my own dairy cow.For a long time now,I have been keeping one cow that belongs to my husband's parents.Sometimes we have issues with his brothers as to why we were given that cow and I have always wished that God opens a way so that I can buy mine.I believe this is an answered prayer.My family will have a constant supply of milk as well as proceeds from the milk and offspring from it will help me with my children's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts at 6:30 AM.When I wake up,I prepare breakfast for my family and then leave early for the farm.At the farm,several women from my neighbourhood converge to work together and as we work we get to share our experiences,laugh and encourage each other,amidst all the challenges we face.This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have a very small piece of land.Sometimes what we get from our farm is not even enough to feed my family.There is very little in terms of any other opportunities in this area that one can engage in to sustain them.This has been difficult for me because when the farm doesn't produce enough,I have to borrow.This is the biggest hardship I have faced.