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 > Hellen's Profile
Hellen's family
Hellen
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Subsistence farming
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
Upcoming Stage
Next Payment
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Follow to be updated on Hellen's next check-in.
 
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($311 USD)
access_time 2 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I plan to invest in poultry farming. This investment will provide us with another source of income besides dairy and crop farming. In our village, there's a market every Monday where brokers come to buy chicken. They purchase cocks for $8 each and hens for $4 each. Additionally, I can sell eggs from layers. My strategy involves starting with 20 Indigenous chicks breed, which I estimate will require around $80 capital. Approximately $30 will go towards purchasing the chicks, and use the remaining amount to buy feeds and drugs. Raising indigenous breeds is cost-effective, as they mature in six months. I plan to raise layers for egg production and use local chicken for hatching to increase the production rate. With careful management, I believe this poultry farming will indeed provide us with a steady income to support our family's needs. It's an exciting opportunity to diversify our income sources and improve our financial stability.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's officers maintained a high level of patience and humility. They were easy to understand and work with, which made the enrollment process smooth and accessible for us. Moreover, I appreciate the educational aspect of GiveDirectly's program, particularly its focus on wise spending. This education has empowered individuals in our community to make informed decisions about how to allocate their funds, ensuring that they address their most pressing needs without misuse. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support. I hope that you continue to extend your helping hand to more people. The impact on our community is great, and I believe continued efforts will make a positive difference in the lives of many more individuals and families.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my second transfer, my mind couldn't focus on anything but fulfilling my desire to own a dairy cow. We already have two Boran breed cows at home, but their milk production is low. From both cows combined, we only get a total of 3 liters per day during the calving stage, which isn't much. We mainly use it for consumption within our household. I desired to have a cow with high milk production so that I could sell the surplus and earn extra income. I purchased a dairy cow for $500, contributing $50 of my own money alongside the $450 I received from GiveDirectly. This cow has promising milk potential; currently, I'm getting 2 liters of milk a day, and it's almost drying up, indicating that during calving, I will likely get even more milk. I plan to sell this milk to support my husband in providing for our family's needs. This way, we won't have to solely rely on his income. We have six children ( two girls and four boys). I am a farmer, while my husband is a primary school teacher. On our three-acre farm, I cultivate maize and vegetables. However, Sometimes, production is lower than expected, and it can be costly, especially with the expenses of using a generator for irrigation. In addition, there are times when the river dries up, resulting in poor harvests. Having the dairy cow will provide us with a diverse income source. If one source fails, we will have another to fall back on. Thank you GiveDirectly for enabling me to fulfil my desire.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($126 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my maize farm when the message about $200 from GiveDirectly popped up. It felt like a prayer answered because my maize needed fertilizer. Instantly, I knew what I had to do. I allocated $120 for the much-needed fertilizer, ensuring my crops would grow healthy and strong. Another immediate concern was clean water. Before, we used to drink water from the river, and it was affecting my four kids' health, causing illnesses like typhoid. So, I set aside $35 to buy clean water. It wasn't just about the crops; it was about the well-being of my family. The feeling was pure joy. It meant my farm would thrive, and my kids would have access to clean water, promoting good health. This unexpected support wasn't just money; it was a solution to two pressing challenges, making a tangible difference in our daily lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I began getting money from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life is the happiness in my family. Now, my family is healthy because we drink fresh water. Before, my kids were getting sick from the river water, but that has changed. Another big change is in my maize farm. I'm waiting for a big harvest, and that's something new. Usually, I couldn't afford fertilizer for my crops, but now, with the help I get, I can. It means my farm is healthier, and I'm expecting more maize than before. The changes in my family's health and the success of my farm make me really happy. It's like a brighter future for all of us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was in my maize farm when the message about $200 from GiveDirectly popped up. It felt like a prayer answered because my maize was in need of fertilizer. Instantly, I knew what I had to do. I allocated $120 for the much-needed fertilizer, ensuring my crops would grow healthy and strong. Another immediate concern was clean water. Before, we used to drink water from the river, and it was affecting my kids' health, causing illnesses like typhoid. So, I set aside $80 to buy clean water. It wasn't just about the crops; it was about the well-being of my family. The feeling was pure joy. It meant my farm would thrive, and my kids would have access to clean water, promoting good health. This unexpected support wasn't just money; it was a solution to two pressing challenges, making a tangible difference in our daily lives.
 
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The first transfer will enable us support our farming activities. We need more farm inputs such as fertilizer, labour costs or chemicals to protect our crops. I anticipate to use over $200 in farming. The short rains will give us enough produce to sustain our family. Farming is highly profitable, we can use some of the profits for future farming. The cost of milk is very high, and we currently own a less productive cow. It produces less milk, hence it's not enough for our domestic use. We plan to buy a better dairy cow for milk production. It can cost upwards to $500. I hope it will lessen our dependence on buy milk. That cost can be transferred to other household needs. The rest of the transfer will cushion my family during emergencies. We also plan to supplement our food supply with $50. Some of the household items we need include, clothes, beddings, minimal house repairs amongst others.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a long term farmer, growing beans, maize or peas. It has been my main source of livelihood for a long time. I enjoy doing farming and happiest when I am able to harvest well. The production helps sustain our family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to our high dependence in agriculture, we face a lot of challenges. The main one is the inadequate water supply due to the elongated drought period. It's better now, but with time the water becomes inadequate due to many farmers with large farms. It's also hard getting enough farm materials such as fertilizer, chemicals to spray our farms or money to support labour needs. These challenges has led to low family income, making our lives difficult. It's hard raising school fees for our children.