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.
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Completed
Newsfeed > Nolaram's Profile
Nolaram's family
Nolaram
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
57
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Nolaram's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($285 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
From the first transfer I received from GiveDirectly, I allocated some cash to agriculture, planting two hectares of maize. When I harvest, I will sell a portion of it and purchase a cow, something that will remind me of the unconditional cash. As my business grows, I will use the earnings to build myself a good house because the one I am living in now is not in good condition.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am filled with joy and gratitude towards GiveDirectly for helping me achieve my dreams. I no longer rely on casual labor; instead, I wake up each morning to fetch water from Lake Baringo for my household and go to look after my farm and attend to my business as well. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am freed from the exhausting work on others' farms. Without their assistance, my child wouldn't have had the opportunity to attend a national school. May God bless you abundantly, and may your organization continue to expand.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving a blessing from GiveDirectly has brought immense joy into my life. Their timely financial assistance arrived when I was struggling with how to pay my daughter's school fees following her exceptional performance in the KCPE exams. Scoring 370 marks, she was appointed to join Utumishi Girls National School in Gilgil. I allocated $360 for her fees. Initially, I was relying on community fundraising to cater to it. Also, I took $20 and started a small, home-based business cooking porridge and chapatis, which I hawked to sell at farms. This allowed me to contribute towards my daughter's education and household expenses without solely depending on fundraising. Before this support, I was doing casual farm work to make ends meet, while my husband, who once cherished livestock rearing, had to abandon his passion due to past bandit attacks that resulted in the loss of our 50 cows five years ago. With a family of eight depending on me, I felt the weight of responsibility. Thus, with the remaining $70, I invested in a goat because I had two previously. This decision not only promises a future source of milk but also reduces our reliance on purchasing from shops, bringing hope and stability to our household.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($117 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My husband and I were at our farm, returning to collect my phone from charging. I was filled with joy when I saw a message from GiveDirectly, stating that I had received $180.1. Immediately, I offered a prayer of gratitude to God and expressed my thanks. My husband and I shared a moment of pure happiness, realizing that this was the beginning of a brighter future for our family. Our initial thoughts centered around utilizing this financial support wisely. The first thing on our minds was to finally plant the 2-acre land we had been longing to cultivate for six years. This opportunity meant not only fulfilling a dream but also addressing other pressing needs within our family. The prospect of creating positive change filled us with hope and optimism. We extend our sincere appreciation to GiveDirectly for this blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving money from GiveDirectly has made great difference in our lives. One of the most significant changes has been the ability to finally cultivate our neglected 2-acre land, which lay barren for six years due to a lack of resources. We had been reliant on unstable income from casual jobs and fishing, which was not sustainable in the long run. What truly amazed us was the opportunity to plow the land with machinery, something entirely new to us. In the past, when we attempted to plant crops, it was always through manual labor. This newfound blessing fills us with hope and belief that our future will be different. With this support, we're optimistic about the prospects ahead.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving $180.1, I strategically allocated $115 to tend to our neglected two-acre land for planting purposes. This distribution included $75 for ploughing and $40 for seeds. For years, we had been unable to afford the costs required for planting, leaving our land barren for six long years. The support from GiveDirectly served as a pivotal moment for our family, breathing new life into our aspirations. Our maize crops have reached the crucial weeding stage, and our hearts are brimming with joy and gratitude. I allocated $50 for food. Ensuring food on our table has been a persistent challenge. To make ends meet, I've been taking up casual work while my husband focuses on fishing to sustain our family. With eight children, three in high school, three in elementary school, and two at home. Providing for them has been an ongoing struggle. Even paying school fees became an uphill task. Their clothes had worn out, adding to our concerns I spent the remaining $15.1 to purchase clothes for three of our children, providing them with a renewed sense of comfort and dignity and the rest to endure the situation we faced. The support from GiveDirectly was more than a financial boost; it was a lifeline. It has allowed us to cultivate our land and also provided a glimmer of hope in the midst of our challenges. We are immensely grateful for this transformative assistance that has touched every aspect of our lives.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Since it has been long since we bought clothes for our family members, we intend to use $30 of the first transfers to purchase clothes. We also plan to use $50 to buy food and other household goods such as utensils, and cooking fat. The remaining amount we shall use to pay off our children's school fees. For the second and third transfers, we intend to pay our children's school fees by using about $300 of the transfers. We also plan to do farming by cultivating and planting 2 hectares of maize. We intend to use about $300 of the transfers on this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness over the past 6 months has come from the harvest I got from the 1-hectare farm I planted. I managed to get 15 bags of maize which delighted me so much since it enabled me to pay for my children's school fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Having 3 children who are in three different institutions is my greatest challenge. This is challenging because I have to pay school fees and yet I only depend on casual work to get money. This is very challenging for me since I don't usually get enough money to pay for their school fees and I'm forced to sell my livestock.