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 > Damaris's Profile
Damaris's family
Damaris
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Other
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($319 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My hope is to expand my business so that I can adequately cover my children's school fees and fulfill their needs. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the growth of my business, as it will enable me to provide for my children more effectively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is doing incredible work. They support individuals without expecting any favors in return, and they consistently fulfill the promises they make. I am forever grateful for their assistance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The money I received from GiveDirectly enabled me to start a new business an intimate shop located near my house. With an initial investment of $20, I began selling essential food items such as rice, sugar, and maize flour. The business is thriving, and I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly. I allocated $20 to repair my house, and the remaining amount was used to purchase food for my children.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($330 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Once I accomplish a lot, that's in the pipeline. Using the next transfer, I still have some exciting plans that I am eager to initiate. Over the next year, my goal is to establish a small retail shop in the nearby shopping center. Not only will this venture provide me with a source of income, but it will also enable me to ensure that my household has a steady supply of food on the table. I am already taking steps towards this dream by setting aside a portion of my earnings from my current farming activities. With enough savings, I will be able to secure a rental space and stock up on inventory to sell to the local community. I am grateful for the steps I have taken so far and looking forward to this new chapter in my life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has had a positive impact in our village by encouraging most of the residents to work diligently, plan thoroughly, and finish their desired projects independently. I am pleased that the information provided during our pre-enrollment training was clear and beneficial when we received our transfers. Despite some people being excluded, no one complained since they comprehended the program's process and how the selection was done. It would be great if GiveDirectly extended its services to other villages that have not yet enrolled for the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Wild and domestic stray animals have been wreaking havoc on my crops every season as my farm remains unfenced. Sadly, I have never had the financial means to fence and safeguard the crops. However, things changed when I received the previous two transfers that allowed me to address pressing obligations and meet basic household needs. With the second transfer, I invested a considerable amount in fencing materials, including a $70 roll of barbed wire and $230 for 10 rolls of chain links, which had an additional transportation cost of $5. I am going to fence around my land before the planting season to ensure that my crops are well protected. To supplement my family's food supply, I spent $64 on a sack of maize that has fed us comfortably. I spent remaining amount on transport and other household necessities. Thanks to these transfers, I can now work towards safeguarding my farm and securing a stable source of income for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($154 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On February 23, around 4:00 p.m., I received a message confirming the receipt of my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I confirmed it with excitement because I had expected it within the stated range of dates in the middle of that month. I was at home with my children when I received a message, and I was so happy that I could not withdraw the same day, but I shared the news with my family members and went to pick it up the next day from a nearby shopping center.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most noticeable difference in my daily life is the peace of mind I've had since the first transfer. I had been working on other people's farms for little pay for a long time, but after receiving my first transfer, I purchased enough food and am planning to install a long-term piped water system right outside my door. I am grateful for the generous support and hope to accomplish much more with the subsequent transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We proceeded with the planning after receiving the first transfer and informing my husband, who is currently working in Nairobi, of the receipt. We settled on the few priorities that we felt the first transfer would handle. We had been fetching water from a nearby seasonal river for a long time, but the scorching sun always dried it up, leaving us with no choice but to buy water every day. To address this, we decided to invest in piped water, for which we paid $47 for a 100-meter horse pipe, which we hope to connect to the community water system soon after paying installation fees. This project will save me money on water and time spent commuting to and from the river every day. I also spent $52 on groceries for my family of five, which relieved my husband, who had been sending us at least $10 per week. In addition, I spent $47 on a single additional goat to add to my herd of five, and the remainder of my money was spent on other household goods such as clothing for my children and kitchenware. I am relieved from the hard casual jobs I had been doing and have peace of mind now that we spend the majority of our time at home with my children when they return from school.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
During the Moi regime, almost all the households in my village were connected to water from Kikaech location. However, drought has impacted negatively on the supply to some households with mine being a victim. It is only those who are connected to the main pipe that has access to it presently. When I receive these transfers, I intend to use $4500 to connect the water to my farm and accordingly irrigate the crops. I will grow vegetables, sweet potatoes, mangoes and pawpaws to provide food for my family of 5. For the rest of the transfers, I will stock food for the household. Therefore be glad that the financial burden on my family will be eased and hence save towards other needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When one gets married, it is not guaranteed that the other partner will be supportive. I attribute the family's success to my husband who strives hard to make ends meet through the casual jobs he attends in Nairobi. Although I do not see him often, I am glad to often communicate with him and hence know of his whereabouts. Furthermore, his presence as the family head is well-felt for the progress is seen. I remember we previously lived in a grass-thatched house that always leaked on rainy seasons but now we have upgraded to an iron-roofed house. My children cannot seemingly hide their joy because they live comfortably now.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Climate change has adversely impacted the rainfall pattern in my area. For instance, the last time we had a heavy downpour was in September 2022 but it only lasted for a week. Since then, rainfall has been seasonal and almost a nightmare. Even though I wish to produce food in my garden, I am saddened that the climate is harsh as nothing can grow on it. My family of 5, concurrently cannot access clean water as we depend on the seasonal river which is 2 kilometres away. Therefore I cannot even irrigate the crop I have been intending to plant on my farm.