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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Nelica's Profile
Nelica's family
Nelica
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
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?
With the transfer, we were able to achieve our main goal of building a more spacious house and purchasing a dairy cow. At the moment, I am aiming at building a kitchen for my family since I moved a bit from where we used to live since I want to leave our current house for my eldest son who is sleeping at his grandmother's house. I am a vegetable vendor selling different kinds of vegetables and I am planning to save part of my daily income and use it to buy building materials in bits and I believe that I will achieve this with time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly officers were not biased in their targeting criteria and they were not believing in rumors. They informed those who were not of independent houses that they would not be enrolled instead of lying to them as other organizations would have opted to do and they made sure that people understood what was being said at the barasa.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a more spacious house for the family was our priority when GiveDirectly came for enrollment. When I received my first transfer, I spent some amount on the purchase of building materials and upon receiving the second one, I spent KES 20000 to commence the construction process by buying some timber and paying for the labor. In addition, I spent KES 28000 on the purchase of a dairy cow. I am happy that I will no longer be buying milk very soon when it calves, rather, I will earn some money through the sale of surplus. I spent the remaining KES 5000 on foodstuffs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Even though I had been so excited with the hope of receiving the transfer, my joy after confirming the money in my account on the D-day was overwhelming. The reality just dawned on me that it was finally time to put all the ideas I had been having into action. I was alone at home that morning as my children had already left the house for school, and their father was also out to his job. I had to inform him through the cellphone and he was also so excited that he promised to be home early that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the first transfer is the construction of a new house. Even though we have not moved in yet, I have a lot of hope that it will be spacious enough to accommodate us with our four children. It will also be good for them since they will finally find more space to study and complete their assignments every evening after school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Just after the enrolment into the program, I have been planning with my husband how best we would spend the money once we receive it. We had a lot in mind but since the first transfer could not have been enough, we finally settled on the construction of a new house as we had been living in a small one that was so squeezed for my family of six. My children had been sleeping in their grandparents' house as the small space in our current house was not enough for all of us. We had to buy several building poles, 28 iron sheets, nails, and also paid the labor charges. The total cost of the construction so far is at KES45000 as we are currently working on the interior as we approach the termination stage of the project. With the remaining amount, I managed to obtain a sack of maize at KES4000 and other household goods with remaining amount.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial freedom to me. I have always wanted to own a dairy cow because I have never had one. I buy 1 litre of milk daily at a cost of KES 30 for home consumption and it is not enough. I sell vegetables in a nearby market which earns me KES 100 per day which is not enough to cater for all the family needs. Buying a dairy cow will boost my income and I will be financially independent. I plan on buying two dairy cows at a total cost of 60,000 of which in less than two years it will be producing an average of 12 litres of milk per day, selling 10 litres will give me KES 300 which will enable me to cater for all my family needs such as food , school fees , clothing and more so I will not be buying milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On a normal day I go to the nearest market to buy vegetables for sell, then sell it in the evening at my shopping center. Going back home to rest after a long day and earning a profit make me happy. Therefore evening is the happiest part of my day..
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Five years ago I was diagnosed with chronic TB that has affected my spinal cord. I am still under medication and I cannot do difficult work such as farming or casual jobs. This has greatly reduced my productivity and I am forced to buy food for my family. Considering that I get KES 100 per day from my small vegetable business, it is very difficult to make ends meet. This is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.