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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.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Charo's Profile
Charo's family
Charo
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
25
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($497 USD)
access_time almost 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 different because of the home improvement that I made and personal care products that I got using the transfers. I also made a huge step in establishing my family by paying dowry. I am happy that I am now duly married. As we speak, my elders are on their way to my bridegroom home to formalize my engagement according to our tradition. I am now a complete man. I will continue excelling in farming and make a happy home because I have been started off well in a good time by GiveDireclty.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well, in apportioning equal cash to people in my village. We all have an equal chance of making it in life because we all got equal payments.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer on home improvement. I also invested in livestock buy buying sheep. I then used the rest of the money on farming. U hired farm labor and prepared land planted maize. I also used part of the money to pay for the dowry for my lovely wife.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($519 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Loosing one's harvested produce after laboring that much is quite disheartening. With the leaking roof in my previous house, the maize grain that I had stored was rained on and got spoiled. This cost me a lot off money which I would have gotten from the sale of these. The biggest difference therefore in knowing that henceforth, I would lose my harvest again on such conditions because I was able to build a new house with a brand new roof, all thanks to GiveDirectly!
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I usually shut my phone when I sleep, so one morning when I was still sleeping I got a message notification and upon checking, I got so happy and excited and immediately knew that I would finally build myself a new house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used to live an old leaking house and it would get really uncomfortable whenever it rained. I, therefore, spent a portion of the first transfer received to build a new house. I also paid for labor for land tilling which would not have been possible if I did not have any money since it is quite a vast land. On top of these, I also bought a solar system for lighting and charging our phones.
 
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Living in a decent and safe house has been my greatest desire. The one I am currently living in is in a deplorable state - the roof is leaking and parts of the wall already carved in. Receiving this money, therefore, means a safe and conducive shelter for me. Additionally, I intend to further my farming practice by investing in oxen which will facilitate easy and timely cultivation. As a maize farmer, I am also late in planting due to lack of sufficient labor as everything depends on me. Consequently, this has led to produce yields every year, but am optimistic this will be something of the past once I receive my transfers.,
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up each day in good health gives me hope in life. I enjoy engaging in farm activities at this part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of adequate resources has been the biggest hardship in my life. One year ago, my wife together with 2 children were taken away from me by my in-laws as I could not raise the require dowry in time as dictated by the Giryama culture. This left me a frustrated man, and up to this moment, I haven't made any strides in life due to a lack of family cohesion. Receiving these transfers will enable me to put my house in order and hopeful things will finally look up.