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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 > Margaret's Profile
Margaret's family
Margaret
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
45
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($521 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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The recipient was not asked any questions as part of this follow up.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($549 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I would not have completed my house were it not for GD, I bought ceiling board and window grills. usually, I spend all the money I get in paying school and buying food for the household. When the aid came, I was able to do the things I had to abandon. I had postponed them until my children complete school but GiveDirectly did it for me. My home is now very nice and is so happy about it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was charging my phone when my neighbor came rushing to my house. She told me she had received money from GiveDirectly and wanted to find out if I had seen the message, so I checked my phone and confirmed. Lunch was ready but I did not take it. I was so excited and rushed to withdraw the money. I was very Joyfull. When I got back home, I hid the money and locked the house for safe keeping. I then waited for my husband to return so that we can plan to spend the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the first transfer on completing my house. The house construction had been suspended as I was hard pressed by school fees paid for my children. I also bought a cupboard for keeping my utensils well. I then used a part of the transfer on paying school fees for my children in secondary school and in college. I also gave some to the one in college for upkeep. I lastly bought utensils and bedding for the family. I bought two mattresses, some blankets and then bought food for the family. I bought maize sugar and cooking fat
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Due to my health condition which has not been impressive, my husband had been struggling alot to make the ends meet as far as the school fees payment for our children is concern. He had been working hard on the casual labour and also in our farm to ensure that we get something to eat and surplus to use as school fees. This had not been enough since our children have been spending most of their study time at home after being sent to collect school fees. In most cases, weeks may pass without us gettibg the required amount to send them back. Receiving this money to us means that our children will at least start enjoying a full term in school without having been send home to collect the areas. We really thank GiveDirectly for the great thought to help us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Working on my small garden where I have been planting short-season crops have been my all-time job at home. Every morning after taking breakfast you would find me with my hoe, either planting or weeding the already sprouting beans and the transplanted kales. Although this is not one of the hardest jobs to do, to me it has been since I can not bend to pluck the weeds for a continuous full minute due to my back condition. I normally get out of my garden at exactly 2 pm to take lunch, get prepared and relax till evening. This period of relaxing has been the happiest part of my day since I get a chance to rest in the shade and reflect on what I have done since morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Playing the mother role in our household has not been that easy after I developed a back disorder. I have been unwell for almost 10 years now and not able to deliver in the casual home chores as I used to do before. This had sent me depending on my husband in most of the things including the search for the full school fees for our children. I have been visiting hospital after the other with the hope that one day I may get my original condition back but it has never happened. Seeing my children getting hard time to settle and study in school like other people's have been my biggest worry since I feel I had a role which would have helped them a great deal. We appreciate the support from GiveDirectly since it would give us an helping hand and atleast hope to see things getting right once again.