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:
Small business
faceAge:
61
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($435 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Where I stay right now there is no any operating shop. I am planning to open a shop and save my neighbors from traveling far in search of basic commodities. I am planning to borrow money from Merry go round and start the business hence return with interest after sometime.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What made me happy is receiving this money. It has boosted me big time. This is by getting a water tank and buying food for my family among other things. I therefore do not have any complains at all but to say a big thank you.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of 6. I am a farmer of maize, vegetables and cassava. My husband works in a workshop. 2 garls and 4boys. I spent my first transfer on buying a 5000ltrs water tank which costed kes. 35000, I bought 3 garters at kes. 4500, bend at kes. 400, dropper, bags of cement, and paid the plumber kers 5000 to fix it. In total buying and fixing this tank coated me kes. 50000. With the second transfer, I paid kes. 24000 school fees for my daughter who is college studying salon, bought 18 bags of cement at keas. 630 each to make floor, to do plastering and the remaining amount I spent on buying cook ware, plates, food and other house hold goods. I am a mother of six,two girls and four boys, a maize, vegetables and cassava farmer. My husband works in a workshop.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on my farm planting trees that are aimed at improving the forest coverage in our country an initiative by Komaza Kenya. I remember it was about 7:30 am when I received the M-Pesa message from Segovia technology. At first, I could not understand it and I had to confirm the account balance only to be surprised by seeing KES 55,000. I was very happy for receiving the transfer that would help me in solving the problem of water shortage in my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently living a happy life after being able to acquire the water tank with my transfer. With this, I am able to collect enough rainwater for the family's consumption. I no longer have to walk 8 km every day with 20 litres on my head something that was tiresome.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For many years, I have been struggling to get clean water for my household consumption. Most of the time, I had to walk for more than 8 km to get water at the only dam in the village. Even though it was long-distance, the water there was also not safe for use. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 31,500 to purchase a water tank with a capacity of 5000 Litres. Additionally, I bought 3 bags of cement, and gutters, and paid a labor cost of KES 5,500 for all the installations of the rainwater collecting system. Currently, I am happy that I was able to collect enough rainwater following the short rains that we received for two days. I no longer have to walk for search long distance and the time that I was using along the way I am investing in other beneficial activities. In addition, I spent KES 4,000 to support the education of my daughter who is in form 3 by paying part of her fees. Currently, she is happy learning without interruption and I am positive that her performance will improve this term.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a resident of this village for more than thirty years now. The biggest problem that is shared in this village is in availability of water. We get water from a water pan that is about two kilometres from my home, not very far, but the water isn't safe because it originates from floods. It pains me a lot to be using unsafe water knowingly though I do not have a choice. Another problem is that pipped water in this area is also not so reliable. Therefore getting this money means tackling my problem once ; I plan to buy 10000L water tank to tap rain water. This will cost around 70000KES, and I'm sure I'll be able to get safe water from one rainy season to another.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It's been along year of draught since last year that I couldn't carry out subsistence farming like I used to. Again due to the biggest challenge of low economic status of the local populace my business haven't been doing fine over that period of time. But a ray of hope shone last year that brought joy to everyone in this village; we got the information that GiveDirectly had launched their operations in this sub-location and that were going to be reached soon. This was such a beautiful moment, and we've been waiting so eagerly for this. I still can't hide my joy now that it's here.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadequacy of financial resources. Most people in this village are poor and this affect business around because buyers are extremely few. It means that when you're doing business here, chances are so high you will not get enough clients to sustain your business and also subsistence farming that could have been an alternative is also impossible due to draught. I have been struggling a lot with the food businesses I have been doing. It's sad it has to be this way that I must depend on my children to take care of me despite the fact that I have my own businesses.