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 > Caren's Profile
Caren's family
Caren
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Motorcycle or bicycle taxi
faceAge:
35
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My spouse and I depend on farming and it has become unreliable lately due to pests, diseases, and unpredictable weather conditions. It is my wish to start a retail shop business in the neighborhood. With this, I am assured of getting more customers since we currently walk for a long distance to the nearest shop. Though I do not have a specific way of getting money to set up this, business, I believe that God will come through at His appointed time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly officers enriched us with the knowledge that we did not know concerning GiveDirectly and its operations. They enrolled everyone without any discrimination and they fulfilled their promise of sending us the transfer. Because of this, the lives of people in the village have changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 25000 on the purchase of a heifer as a way of investing this money. I will be using money from the sale of surplus to pay school fees for my children. Also, I spent KES 5000 to pay school fees for my son in private school and used the remaining KES 22000 on foodstuffs, utensils, two three-seater seats, and clothes for the family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On confirming the receipt of KES 55000 on my phone, I was really excited as this was the first time to receive such a huge amount in my account. I was home alone as my husband left home a bit earlier to attend to his usual Bodaboda business. I had to call him and on breaking the news, he was so happy and promised to be home earlier that day as we needed to plan. All over that time before he came back home, I had a mixed reaction as I was happy at the same time restless as the thoughts of being losing the transfer kept coming to my mind. I had to calm my nerves, kept myself busy, and ensured that the phone was always with me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved living standard. At the moment, a lot has really changed, and have constructed a new house that is spacious enough for my growing family of seven that has been the biggest difference in my daily life. Currently, I am in the final stages of construction a sign that we are soon moving in so that we can demolish the old kitchen as we transition to the new house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the first transfer was the best thing to ever happened in my life. This was the first time in my life after such a long time receiving such a huge amount. With my family of seven with all my five sons in school, it has been a struggle ensuring that I meet all their financial obligations both in school and at home. This has brought all the projects to a halt since I could not run any other parallel project. On receiving the first transfer, it was a great opportunity for me to construct a new house as we had been dependent on one small house as the main living room beside an old kitchen. It was getting smaller since my sons always need a better space to complete their school assignments. I used KES35000 from the money I received on constructing a new house after buying 26 iron sheets and paying the labor force. I also spent KES 10000 of the remaining amount on obtaining a bullock to add to the lactating cow I had been rearing. I have a plan to keep it and will be selling it out once it has grown enough to gather for the school fees. I spent the remaining KES 9000 on obtaining enough foodstuff for the household as we had been buying in small quantities that were quite expensive compared to obtaining in bulk.
 
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better Education for my children. Currently my children are out of school because I can't mange to pay for their school fees, I don't have a job and my husband only depends on casual jobs and the little we get goes for foodstuffs and clothing's. I feel very disturb seeing my children at home and I don't have anything to do. When I receive this money ksh 60,000 will go to school fees and the remaining I will build a house for the children since we are still under one roof.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is the time I am done with my daily chores and take dinner with my husband and my children. Later I head to bed to rest and wait again for another day to work hard for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2018 my daughter got sick and she was diagnosed with cancer, the process of treatment started and being a jobless person who depends only on the husband things ware very hard. I was forced to sell all the dairy animals in the compound, sheep and piece of land so that I can pay for her medication. I spend all the resources in medication leaving us without anything. That is the biggest hardship have ever faced.