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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 > Dama's Profile
Dama's family
Dama
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
70
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 different than how it was before because I now sleep in a permanent house that is well plastered. This has been my dream to own it but due to the high levels of poverty, I could not afford to purchase the materials. Back in the days, I used to shelter under a temporary hut that was so leaky and every year I had to change the grass roofing which was relatively costly to me. Sometimes, I had to seek shelter from friends especially when it rains heavily. Having the new house is now a relief to me because I no longer have to worry about any sort of calamity including the heavy rains. Also, the livestock that I purchased will be of great help to my grandchildren's education. Since their parents are jobless, I am certain by the time they will transition to secondary school the goats and dairy cows would have multiplied. I will be able to sell some and pay their fees on time without straining.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly does well in my region by making sure they visited all the needy households in my villages. The cash transfers have really transformed the living standards of each individual in my entire region. Most of us sleep under permanent houses from the temporary huts that we have been sheltering on. Also, we have different kinds of assets that we can now rely on unlike when we had none. Therefore, in my opinion, GiveDirectly has not done anything that is not good to us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying building materials such as twenty-four pieces of iron sheets, several bags of cement, sand, nails, and timber. This was for the completion of the construction of a new permanent house since the previous one was a temporary small hut with grass thatched roof. Also, I cleared school fees for my grandchildren who are in primary school and I am glad they are no longer been sent home regularly as before. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message on my phone while I was on my way to the farm. When I checked its contents, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I worked on crops full of joy, thanking God for bringing GiveDirectly to uplift our lives through the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was living in a small grass thatched hut before I received the financial support from GiveDirectly. My desire was to one day build a spacious and iron roofed house. I could not achieve this at my own cost. However, my daily life is currently different because I am now living in my newly constructed iron roofed house. GiveDirectly has finally fulfilled my dream through the transfers. I made bricks of cement and sand which has made my new house nice and decent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I was visited, I was staying in a very small hut, which I had to change the roof every time. This was tiresome but because I could not afford to build an iron roofed house, I had to remain in it. My desire was to build a spacious house for my children to be accommodated. When I received the transfer, I committed a larger portion of it into building a new decent house. I bought cement and sand and made bricks for the construction. I also bought iron sheets, nails and also paid the mason for his job. I spent the small amount that remained on shopping on daily foodstuffs for my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a window and the only breadwinner for my family of 3 members. I have struggled so much to raise my two grandchildren who were left by their parents who past away 5 years ago. My only hope for survival is on goats rearing which I used all to educate my grandchildren up to the secondary level. My wish has been to restart this activity by purchasing 10 goats @ 30 dollars each. The remaining amount will assist me in repairing the roof of my house which leaks during rainy seasons.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up refreshed and healthy in the morning after a good night rest give me joy and hope for a better day. Therefore, mornings become my happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine at the age of 70 yrs, I am still forced to do a laborious job like weeding in order to feed my family. This job requires a lot of stamina and it has make my body weak day by day. Therefore, I consider Inadequate finances to support my family need like proper shelter and food as my been my biggest hardship.