GDLive Newsfeed
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 > Betty's Profile
Betty's family
Betty
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
29
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($527 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had I not received the transfer from GiveDirectly, I would not have bought the cow and chicken that I am now keeping. This would mean that I would always be reminded of the pain of losing my family members and the effect that It had on us including using up most resources. So having the livestock keeps me busy and this helps me with the road towards recovery for me and family. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for holding my hand in this journey. I have now fenced my compound well with a chain link and I can now focus on livestock keeping. This will be a good source of income for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I loved that GiveDirectly sent the transfer straight to use. this helps in reduicng the theft of the transfes and ensures all the aid reaches the intended recipients. I also loved that the transfer came in two phases. In my opinion, GD the whole project was well planned and executed.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I lost my mother and a nephew who drowned towards the end of the year, I spent so much of our resources towards the funeral expenses and other needs. We were so depleted that I ended up selling the only livestock we had that is a cow and chicken that I was rearing. So when I received the second transfer, I decided I would buy a cow and chicken to continue with what I used to do. This has made my life better since I felt so bad when I had to sell the only cow that I had and buying this cow means a lot to me. I used the rest of the transfer to buy food for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($549 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life since this transfer has been great. Earlier last year I had lost my mother and my niece who drowned in a river. I spent a fortune on their funeral expenses. I can say that I'm getting back on track with daily chores and rebuilding on what I had lost due to depression. I'm even happier and stronger because this money came at the time of need. i have been able to give hope to my family again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received this transfer I was so overjoyed. I have never held nor seen such an amount of money in my entire life. I couldn't believe they were all ours to spend. This was a relief especially after we had exhausted almost all the money from our savings and even borrowed our neighbours to cater for funeral expenses for my mother and niece who drowned in a river. It was a sigh of relief to finally get back on track in life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend my transfer on food, school fees, wire mesh, bedding and clothes for my children. I have always wanted to keep the chicken for business purposes. The weather in my community is viable for keeping the chicken. Therefore I decided to buy a wire mesh to fence my compound all around. This means that I will be able to get at least some money on the sale of eggs and chicken for meat purposes. This money will sustain my family in future in terms of school fees and other basic needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My father-in-law recently passed away after along illness of going to the hospital and back. Doing this needs alot of resources and we had to sell all the cows that we had to settle the bills. Recently my mother in law also drowned and passed away and so there was so much that we had to do in terms of funeral arrangements and all. Receiving this money means I will be able to buy a cow and some chicken for rearing so as to become a source of income and be able to take of my family and the extended one since we are now being depended by almost everyone is my family. This money came at the right time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is during the afternoon after having my lunch. This is the time that I relax after along day of hardwork and get to do some cleaning. We also catch up with my neighbours.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Loosing my father-in-law and mother-in-law and a niece almost at the same time is the biggest hardship I have ever faced. We now have to take care of my husband's siblings. Its traumatising.