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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 > Lydia's Profile
Lydia's family
Lydia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
23
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($507 USD)
access_time over 2 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 had I not received the transfer. This is because I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow. Due to this, I no longer buy milk anymore and it is also almost calving. In addition, my husband business is now doing well as we have more customers. This has been contributed by the fact that we were able to boost it through buying more stock.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband runs an agrovet business as he a veterinary officer. When I received my transfer, we decided to spend KES 50,000 to boost this business. We settled on this since when we began, it was operated under their company but after sometime, we decided to open ours and it was still small and we did not have enough stock. I spent the remaining amount on food and other household necessities.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized I had received money from GiveDirectly at around noon that day. I felt happy and thanked GiveDirectly for financial support. I was overwhelmed knowing that I will soon do have a cow on my farm that will help us in milk production thus reduce our daily expenses and improve diets in our daily meals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had the desire of starting livestock farming but couldn't due to limited resources. When I received my first transfer, I bought a cows and I am glad that my desires have been met. Had it not been for the financial help from GiveDirectly, then it would have taken many years to acquire them. I will be selling it's offsprings in case of a financial emergency as well as raising more money to finance my children's education. I am certain that I will also have milk for both household consumption and sales to earn an extra coin.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES50000 to buy a cows and five sheep. Having this herd to me is saving for my future family needs. My child is still in lower levels of education and I am expecting to educate them using these animals offsprings and their products. Besides, I will also be getting milk from the cows for my family consumption and surplus for sale to earn extra income. I am also planning to start a business of buying and selling charcoal in the city with the remaining amount. This will be an income-generating activity for us to enhance our unstable sources of income. I used the remaining amount of money on my household items and daily basic needs.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband is a trained Vetinary Officer and he has been looking for employment for the last 7 years unsuccessfully. At the beginning of this year 2020 we took a loan of $200 from a local SACCO to enable him start a Vet Clinic in a nearby town. The clinic has grown tremendously since then though we are yet to repay the loan in full. With these transfers we would like to to repay the loan in full and invest half of it in this business because it has really helped us and we hope it will help us even more.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is at midday. It is usually a time am halfway through my household duties and I already know through the work I have completed if my family would have a meal that evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I faced the biggest hardship in my life when my husband was jobless. He tried his best to make us comfortable but still we couldn't afford to buy food for our family. I would try help him some days by looking for casual jobs in the neighborhood but the pay was too little compared to the amount of work you would be asked to complete.