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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 > Sofia's Profile
Sofia's family
Sofia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
House construction
faceAge:
39
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($528 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am now owning livestock which I purchased through this transfer, three bulls and a heifer, that I didn't have. Besides them being valuable living assets to me, the bulls will be helping me in ploughing my farm effectively. I am expecting to get a good harvest now that I will be doing my farming early and timely unlike before when I was using hoes which were not productive with larger acreage. Apart from this, I am also sleeping comfortably on a wooden bed and a new mattress having replaced the old and worn out beddings that I used for many years. Also, I have cleared my children's school fees and now they are comfortable in school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Enrolling and choosing the needy households and giving the transfer was efficiently done and as a beneficiary, I feel this is the biggest thing GiveDirectly has done well. Our lives are not the same again since receiving this money. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 to purchase a bull and a heifer to add to my existing cattle shed. For sure, I am grateful as a farmer owning livestock in my homestead. I aim to keep them so that in the future, I can sell them at a profit to start a business. The heifer will also be producing milk which I can sell and earn an income. I also spent KES 15000 to pay for my children in high school. It gives me great joy seeing them continuing with their studies without any interruptions. I spent the remaining amount to buy some household items and meeting some other household basic needs such as buying daily foodstuffs.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a pair of oxen that I will be using during the planting season. I am assured of preparing my farm early for timely planting. The acreage was big for me to manage and to cultivate with hired oxen and labor since I couldn't afford it. The harvest was not such good thus could finish within some months leaving my family in hunger. Having a pair of oxen will greatly help me to fully cultivate my whole acreage, and through this, I will get an increased harvest that will ensure food security for my family and surpluses to sell an income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already up for my day's tasks and I decided to check my phone's message inbox for any new message. As I went through, I came across a Mpesa message confirming that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I could not hold the joy that instantly filled my heart. Even as I began my daily chores, I couldn't stop thanking GiveDirectly for the fortune.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 28000 to purchase a pair of oxen which I am expecting to use to plough my farm. Initially, it would take me a long time to cultivate my whole farm because I was using hoes which are not effective. The pair of oxen is much better and I am expecting to improve my farming and get a better harvest from now onwards. In addition to the pair of oxen, I also purchased a new bed and two mattresses at KES 8400 for my children also to replace the old beddings that we had been using for a long time. As a family, we will now have a comfortable sleep with the new beddings. I also spent KES 9000 to pay for my children's school fees for them to continue with their studies without any interruptions. I spent the remaining amount to buy some family basic needs such as daily foodstuffs and to pay for some household expenses.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I own 4 acres of land but I only use 1.5 acres because I do not have better farming equipment. Such a small portion provides food that is able to sustain us for up to 2 months. This means I have to supplement from the shops which is quite expensive. I therefore plan to purchase a pair of oxen that I will use to scale up farming. I will also hire them to generate income that will take care of other needs such as medical and clothing. I will also purchase goats that I will be selling to finance my children's education. These will replace the 50 goats that I sold earlier for the same purpose.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A good day is normally determined in the morning. Waking healthy gives me joy since I will be able to accomplish my daily duties. It also makes me happy because my children are normally jovial during this time. Their smiling faces give me a reason to press on and live another day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers one year ago a situation that has deprived me of good health. With such condition I cannot undertake any heavy duties. This means I do not have a source of income since I cannot engage in casual jobs. I therefore depend fully on my husband. The maximum he can send home is 4000 shillings a month. It is very difficult to support 8 children with this amount and I can say financial insufficiency is my biggest hardship.