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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:
Small business
faceAge:
27
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($515 USD)
access_time 4 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 now different because I managed to buy livestock such as goats and chicken. These have been the well thoughtful assets that I can depend on just in case of any financial crisis. Currently some of the goats have started reproducing which is making me hopeful. When the offsprings multiply and mature enough, I will start a business of selling them and then I will be saving the money and start some other projects. In addition to that, I will be able to send all my children to school because currently most of them are still young. I believe by the time they will be joining the school I will have enough that I have saved and i will not struggle in paying their fees and meeting their daily needs as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done everything so well. First, with the issue of enrolment and registration it was free and very fair. No one was required to pay anything or bribe someone to be enrolled. There were no cases of someone to be enrolled twice because everyone was enrolled at his or her household. This made it the exercise to be very fair and everyone was pleased.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some livestock such as goats at KES 30000 and chicken at KES 4000. I settled in buying them because In can easily depend on them just in case of ant emergency. I then bought some other household items such as jerricans, utensils at a total of KES 3000. I also cleared school fees fr my son who is still primary school at KES 2000. The then bought some foodstuffs for my family and some clothing with the remaining amount of money.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning ten goats which I have been longing for a very long time. My husband who is the breadwinner has been selling charcoal to get income. The profits were not enough to support our family bearing in mind the fact that it was what we entirely depend on to carter to our primary and secondary needs. Having the goats makes me happy because they are easy to take care of and they grow fast hence the likelihood of having more of them is high in a few month's time. Therefore, I would have the privileges of selling some in case of emergencies.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received money I was very happy since I knew most of my problems would be solved such as acquiring livestock which has been my long time dream .
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent 20,000 KES of my first transfer to invest on buying livestock such as ten goats and ten chicken . I am pleased to own livestock which before was just impossible because our income wouldn't be enough to invest in this project . I bought a bed, clothes, a mattress and fixed a steel wooden on my house. I bought food with the remaining amount.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a housewife I depend on my husband who is selling charcoal as the only source of income. This job has been sustaining us since 2014 but recently the government illegalized it due to its negative impact on the environment. This has forced my husband to have constant clashes with the police when in his duty. I have wished to start livestock rearing as an alternative source of income but this has never come through due to inadequate finances. Receiving this money means the accomplishment of my desire. I am planning to spend my transfer in purchasing 10 indigenous goats for $ 30 each, which will act as my longterm investment for the family. The remaining amount will assist me to extend another room since the one I currently live is small.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because waking up health with my family give me joy and hope in life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadequate finances to fulfill my desire of starting livestock rearing like others in the village had been my biggest challenge. This has forced me to depend on my husband whose job is at stake as at now. Meeting the needs of our family is a big challenge because putting food on the table means my husband to do this business the whole day. This has forced my family to opt for 2 meals per day unlike sometimes back where we can have 3 meals. This has eaten away my joy as I cannot predict what can happen to him next when he comes across the police.