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 > Vicky's Profile
Vicky's family
Vicky
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Tailoring
faceAge:
28
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 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?
It was so hard for me just after receiving my second transfer since everyone in my household felt sick and had to frequent the visits to the hospital that led to the forgoing of the major plans we had and spending part of the money in seeking medication. It was also unfortunate that the cow that had been providing us with milk after buying succumbed to a studded illness. It was a painful experience that almost took our hopes away but I am glad that my children are now fully well and I hope that together with my husband, we will soon be well so that w can get back to the initial plans we had. Just after receiving that transfer, I was hoping to improve my tailoring business which had been more of repairs in the past few years. I needed to obtain new materials that I could use in uniform and casual designs for my customers. This has to be a new goal that I am now looking forward to since I was not able to initiate it after receiving the transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, everything that was done by GiveDirectly was good. Right from the enrollment, we were introduced to the program making sure that we understood what we were enrolling for, and the unconditionality of the project. Many would have opted out with the thought that it was a loan but the clear understanding made everyone free to enroll without any fear of being asked to pay back later. I appreciate everything and wish GiveDirectly would continue doing the same as they reach out to other people too.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Right after receiving the first transfer, the owner of a cow that my household had been dependent on came for it. I was grateful since it has been helpful to us but was afraid at the same time that we had to start buying milk sometimes before buying our own dairy cow. We had to cope with this for a month and some since we had not factored in to buy using the first KES 55000 that we had received but to await the second transfer. That month passed and on receiving the second transfer, I spent KES 37000 to purchase a lactating dairy cattle that provided us with enough milk through another month to the last day when I woke up only to find it dead without any symptoms of illness. It was a devastating moment for my household but we could do nothing about it. At that same period, we were all sick in the household and spent approximately KES10000 on frequent check-ups and medication. I spent the remaining KES 5400 on foodstuff that included a sack of maize, rice, sugar, and other household items.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember vividly like yesterday that it was around 8am, when I heard a ringtone message from my phone. I was doing my daily morning chores while my spouse was feeding the cows. I reluctantly check it thinking it was just a usually messages from friends. I couldn't believe my eyes because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately inform my family members and they celebrated with lots of joy. We went and withdrew all the money from the Mpesa agent the same day. We planned on buying the building material which we did. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has given us hope to improve our living standard.
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 have bought all the materials needed for constructing a better and spacious house. The construction is still on going. We live in a small grass thatched house which cannot host all the family comfortably. Whenever we have visitors it is so stressful and very demoralizing because we have nowhere to host them. We are forced to host them outside. Our children needs privacy, a room where the can sleep and do their homework without any disturbance. We depend on casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. The amount of money that we get through this casual jobs is so small and only for basic household needs. We didn't had extra money to save so that we can build a better house. Current we have bought all the materials needed and the construction is on going. As soon as the constructions is done we will move in immediately. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard. We will have our privacy back and our self esteem will be boasted since we will not shy off to welcome visitors to our house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials and started building a better and spacious house for my family. The construction is still on going. We live in a small grass thatched house which cannot host all the family comfortably. I added stock to my tailoring work. I do run a tailoring business where I earn an income to meet household needs for my family. I bought poultry feeds for my chicken. The rest of the money I spent on food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means my long time dream of have a better house will be fulfilled. I have a grass thatched house and it tends to get smoky when cooking. It's even difficult to cook when you have visitors. I plan to construct a iron roofed house. This means i will be able to collect rainwater. To get clean water you have to buy from the water kiosk within our village but it's not sustainable. I expect to cost around 200 dollars. My husband love chickens and he has always wanted to start eggs business. So when we get this money we also plan to purchase layers. This will help us generate more income and also household use. I plan to use 200 dollars of my transfer to buy them. The rest of the money we use for our personal needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Usually I am happy all the time but evening is the best since i get to rest after tiresome work during the day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been my children getting sick more oftenly. They have been diagnosed with pneumonia. I suspect its due to leakage in the house. This has drained us financially.