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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 > Mwaringa's Profile
Mwaringa's family
Mwaringa
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
34
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($430 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had bought a piece of land with the first transfer that cost $150. I plan to use my savings to build rental houses. This would increase my sources of income and take care of my family without strain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I like their visits to the village. I get to interact with the staff on a one-on-one basis. Also when they call me to make sure I have received my transfer has helped a lot because sometimes I do not notice the money because of my busy schedule. What I do not like is that they only ask how I have spent the transfer but they do not visit me to confirm some of the projects.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My wife has epilepsy which has made me the primary provider of the family. She cannot get any employment because of her condition. I spent the first transfer to buy a motorbike that has been helping me with an income. I spent the second transfer to purchase ten goats at $420. The goat produces milk that I sell at $1 a liter. The money from the milk business helps to buy food for my five children who are in school. The other two are young and they have not started school. The other income from the motorbike business is used to pay school fees for them. Receiving this money has helped me save money for the future and buy food without strain.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had left my phone charging overnight. When I switched it on in the morning I got a message notification. When I checked it out I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I was on my way to work and I had to turn and go back home to inform my spouse. it was one of the happiest days of our lives because we have never received such an amount of money before. I knew my dreams will come through because I have received the money. I stayed for two days planning and later went and withdrew the money. I am so grateful for the support from GiveDirectly.
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 purchased a motorbike. We used to walk for a long distance to collect clean water for domestic uses. This was so tedious and time-consuming. I do casual jobs at the constructions site and also sometimes we have to walk for quite a long distance to those sites. This was also so tiresome. The amount of money that I would get was so small and only for household basic needs. I had no extra money to save. Currently, I have a motorbike in good condition, I can collect water for our daily uses without taking much time like before. I can go to walk without any struggle like before. we are so grateful because this has eased our daily activities. GiveDirectly has improved our standards of living.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000m on purchasing a second-hand motorbike. This was one of our goals in that, I will use the motorbike in collecting clean water for domestic uses and to use ride it when going to work. we used to walk for a long distance to collect water and this is so tedious and time-consuming. I spent KES 13,000 to purchase some spare parts and repair the motorbike. The rest of the money I spent on food and clothes for my children.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My family is prone to diseases; my wife has epilepsy and my first born has a boil in his right leg that has lasted for three years. This has made me not able to build a good house for my family as I have always been settling hospital bills. Receiving this money means spending 30,000 KES to buy 22 pieces of 32 gauge dumuzaz 2.5 metre iron sheets.The remaining amount I will use it to treat my first born and also pay school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A freind of mine gave me a house construction job that has given me the ability to buy food for my family. The fact that a freind gave me this opportunity made me feel loved and it brought joy and happiness to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I live with worries as anytime I can receive a phone call that my wife has fainted as a result of the epilepsy or my child who has boils cannot walk and need to be picked. This even made me to leave my job at Garissa so that I can be close to my family.