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 > Furaha's Profile
Furaha's family
Furaha
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
22
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 because I have livestock more so two dairy cows and goats. This is what I have been aspiring to own for years since they have numerous benefits but because they were too expensive, I couldn't afford them. Therefore, after receiving the money, I had to prioritize them, and I am glad I finally accomplished my dream. Currently, two of the goats have already reproduced and they have increased in number which means I will have lots of them within a short period of time. I am assured of achieving my other goals through them. Also with the dairy cows, I will be getting plenty of liters of milk whereby I will be in a position to sell some and the remaing liters for my family's consumption. From this business, handling my household needs will be easier compared to before when I had no asset to depend on.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by ensuring all the beneficiaries had mobile phones. This was the best of all since the money was sent directly to our phones, it would be so stressful if we couldn't have them. Also, the GD staff are very friendly and approachable and we could freely interact with them and ask any kind of question regarding the transfers and the organization at large.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on preparing my farm which costed a total of KES 3000. For all those years I have been using my own hands to conduct the tiresome exercise. But then I had no option since I had no money to facilitate that. Also, I bought a dairy cow KES 18O00, a living asset that I can easily rely on. To add to that, I bought two bags of maize and some other household items that I was lacking. With the remaining cash, I bought building materials such as building poles and threads. This was especially for the renovation of my house since it had weak walls.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was washing clothes outside my house early in the morning when I received the transfers. I was not expecting the transfers at that time when I heard a message coming into my phone. I went to check my phone and it was the Mpesa message for the transfers. I was so happy as I felt that God had remembered me on that day. I was not sure if truly I would receive the transfers but I believed at that moment, and I was so thankful to God. I went on with washing and I took the remaining part of the day to plan how I will spend the transfers.
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 now own livestock; I am now a livestock farmer. I bought two cows and two goats that I now rear with the hope that I can make a profit out of each of them in future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to buy livestock, to buy food for my family and I also bought two mattresses. My children and I have been sleeping on mats for a while now and that is why I spent $63 out of the transfers to buy two mattresses. We now sleep on comfortable mattresses. I also bought two cows and two goats at $330 so that I could rear them with the hope that I can make a profit out of them in future. I also bought a sack of maize to ensure food security in my household. I have two children and I work at people's farms for pay. The pay is never enough to meet our needs. My husband is employed as a casual laborer and he also earns a meagre pay that cannot effectively cater for our needs. I feel so happy to have received the transfers.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a young mother of two ready to spend my time to build my family. I currently have no formal job to sustain my family thus I majorly depend on my husband, a habit I am not happy with. Receiving this money means a steady income since I will invest the money in second-cloth business in a nearby center called Bamba. I have the capability and time to run the business thus will be self employed and in a position to support my family, build a better house and take my children to school when the time comes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a farmer I always long for a new day to take my herd of cattle to their grazing land or engage in other farming activities. The happiest part of my day is in the morning just after taking my breakfast ready to embark on my daily farming chores. I feel happy at this hour since I know I got another chance to improve my farming for better yields and produce.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Leading my young family to bed with empty stomachs was the biggest hardship I have faced in my life. It was the year 2019 when we were faced with long drought thus leading to loss of both crops and water in our area. I felt devastated about this but I had to feel the pinch since I had no other alternative to support my family.