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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 > Jumwa's Profile
Jumwa's family
Jumwa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
34
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 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 now different because I managed to buy two dairy cows from the financial support I received from DiveDiectly. I have been longing to own them for long but I could not afford it because of my low income. I depended on the casual jobs, considering I was a single parent I had to struggle to raise my two children. Whenever I could seek financial assistance from my family, they all claimed they do not have. Life was not easy at all. After buying the dairy cows I feel everything in my life has changed because I will be getting milk fir free and also sell the remaining liters e to friends and this will boost my income. I am so thankful because if it were not for this organization to come to our village I would not have bought them anytime soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been of great impact to us in my village in numerous ways. First, most of us have cows both dairy and oxen. With the oxen, we are assured of consuming less time in ploughing our farms and also getting some good harvests. This is because we have been using our own hand in preparing our farms which were very tiresome and we couldn't finish plough most of our farms. To add to that, the majority of us now have some good permanent houses which are iron roofed. The previous ones were small huts which were ever leaking whenever it could rain. In addition, most of the people in my village now are running businesses which is the additional income in their daily lives. Previously, we used to depend on casual jobs only which was a bit difficult for some of us to have such an opportunity. In addition to this Lastly, our children are now studying without any difficulties. According to me, I do not see any sector that GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, building poles. I had intended to construct a new house because the previous one was almost collapsed because of its condition. During winter seasons I used to seek shelter from relatives and some friends which a bit challenging. I then cleared school fees for my children who are still in primary school. I am now glad because they are no longer being sent home like before. The remaining amount of money I bought some enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to purchase enough building materials which include iron sheets, building poles, nails and timber for the construction of a new decent house to live in. Initially, I was living in an old traditional hut, grass-thatched which was always leaking during rains. Though I desired to upgrade to an iron-roofed house like my fellow villagers, I couldn't afford to purchase even a single item, since the money I had was little compared to the vast family needs. Having a decent house, spacious and iron-roofed is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me to achieve this dream.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was my helper who came to me early in the morning and asked whether I had received money as she had heard from neighbours speaking about theirs. Since I couldn't understand any message, she checked and confirmed that indeed I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and celebrated this with my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I had desired to build a new house since the one I was sheltering in was grass-thatched. I spent a larger portion to improve on my shelter by building a new decent and iron-roofed house. I purchased 22 pieces of iron sheets, building poles, nails and timber to facilitate the construction of this house. In addition to this, I also bought two heifers worthy KES 24000 which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I expect that even as they reproduce and increase in number, I will lean on them to cater for my children's education who are still young. I also spent KES 4000 to hire the services of oxen to plough my farm. I am spending the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs and other household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream is to build a better house than the one I live in which is only one room covered with a thatched roof that leaks a lot especially now that it is raining. I plan to build a two room house with an iron sheet roof worth 35000 shillings. I also will buy 3 indigenous cows at 15000 shillings each, two for ploughing my farm and one for milk production for sale. With the rest of the cash, I will buy a bed and comfortable mattress and also pay fees for my daughter in primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After completing my house chores in the morning, I head to the bushes to collect the plant extract I use to make aloe vera juice till late afternoon when I come back to rest. This makes it the happiest time of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability has been my biggest challenge. For a living, I make aloe vera juice from the plant extract which I sell to get income. On average, I sell 2 jericans per month which earns me 2000 shillings. This income is however not sufficient because I have to pay 1900 shillings from it as fees for my daughter in school and also cater for food and other needs for the whole month. This has made it so hard for me to even build a house which is our direst need because of the ongoing rains.