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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Catherine's Profile
Catherine's family
Catherine
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53075 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have made a big milestone in my life courtesy of the tranfers. I am a single mother of one and ever since I have been living in my parent's house. According to our culture, women do not inherit land from their parents. The transfers, however, took care of this as I bought land using the first transfer. Upon getting the second transfer, I embarked on building my own house on that land. The house is now ready and I am going to move in really soon. The happiness that I have immeasurable as owning land and house is like a dream come true.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well through giving cash transfers to people unconditionally. This has enabled people to do things that they would not have done. GiveDirectly should keep up the good work they are doing they should, however, consider the single parents who live with their parents when giving the transfers.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 35000 in building a new house on the land that I bought using the first transfer. I paid KES 20000 for my sons' school fees and used KES 5000 to purchase of school uniform as he was joining secondary school.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have a place to call my own.I will go and build a home soon where my children and I will relocate to.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received money when I was coming from fetching water in a river.I was so happy and thankful to Give Directly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy a piece of land.I found a piece of land soon after receiving this transfer.I have living on my parents land but will soon relocate when I build a house.I am so happy to have my own land where I will build my own home
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
 
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is our leaking grass-thatched house. Whenever rain approaches, we are worried, especially at night. We always move kids and belongings from one coner of the house to the other to avoid dripping water.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is a the evening when returning home from kibarua (casual jobs) with some food for our family. This means that there would be something to eat in the household because we find it extremely difficult to get food.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that we are starting a new leaf in life - we will begin to live like 'other people' (the well-off). This is because we will build a better house, buy a cow for milk production and adequate food for our family.