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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 > Recho's Profile
Recho's family
Recho
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
52
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 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 would have been had I not received the transfer because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow. Due to this, I am optimistic that I will be able to see my children through their education. This is because I am planning to be using my income from milk sales to pay their school fees. Also, I have been able to build a more spacious house for my family that can accommodate us comfortably. All this would not have been possible had it not have been for GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by uplifting everyone's life through cash transfer and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent around KES 22000 to build a spacious house for my family. I settled on this since the one we were living in was small and could not accommodate us comfortably. Also, I used KES 24000 to pay school fees for my children who had been sent back home. I am now glad since they can now concentrate on their studies without any disturbances. Using the remaining amount, I bought some clothes, food and other household necessities for my family.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on a Thursday afternoon when I was heading home from my farm when I heard a message notification on my phone. I checked and it was the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. I was over joyed, I pictured an added cow in my farm and this was my happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been a livestock keeper for a long time in our village. My passion for livestock was derived from the fact that these are living assets which I can readily depend on in case of any financial crisis and daily milk sale is a source of income. Considering that I do not have a stable source of income to depend on, I always struggle to keep my livestock more and more productive. My family needs have been overwhelming that I couldn't improve my livestock farming, instead, it was facing a risk of being sold out to meet our needs. Because of this, I spent KES28500 of the transfer to buy a cow and sheep to keep in my homestead. With the cow, I know it will reproduce and have many of them. I will be getting milk from the cow for both household consumption and sale for an income. Soon, I will have more offspring that will act as my financial security in my family..
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES285000 of my transfer to buy livestock to rear in my homestead. I preferred them since as they mature, I know they will reproduce and increase in number. I am happy that I will have milk for both household consumption and sales. I took another KES3000 to facilitate my farming by buying maize seed and on land preparation. I also build a house for my son's using KES21000. I feel good when currently see them spend the night in a comfortable house just next to us unlike before. In addition, I spent the remaining amount on household basic needs such as foodstuffs and other household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall manage to build a house for my daughter who separated from her husband about five years ago. Once she becomes independent, I will be much relieved from the usual task of feeding and providing for my large family that is currently comprising 9 members. Precisely, we are congested in our family. Even cooking for the large family is a tough task. Conclusively, this money will transform our homestead into a better residential place.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am returning home with some money after engaging in my vegetable trade since morning. As the sole breadwinner for my family, I am always concerned with gaining income for funding our needs and demands.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Proving and caring for my daughter and her five children is the biggest hardship I have faced since I am a widow who struggles to make ends meet. Like every other parent, I would wish that my daughter settles well in her matrimonial home. Since such a wish has never materialized, I always feel sad because she is equally disturbed and bored by the undesired turn of events.