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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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Philister's Profile
Philister's family
Philister
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labor
faceAge:
48
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($441 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?
The goal that I did not have before receiving the cash transfer is that I would wish to start a freshwater business. In our village we only have two taps and several dams, therefore I feel this business is so lucrative since the water points are very far from us. Therefore this will authorize me to earn a living considering that I am currently jobless.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by not leaving anyone behind during the enrolment period. Their coming into our village brought harmony and unity among us unlike before. Also, currently, the entire village has changed in terms of development. There are permanent houses, and livestock, among others. I do not see any part that GiveDirectly needs to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on paying fees of KES 15000 for my three children who are in their second and third year in high school. They have been staying home for almost two weeks because of the arrears and I was so worried that they might end up dropping out of school. I also bought building materials such as bags of cement, sand and bricks. These were for the construction of a new permanent house because the initial one was about to collapse due to its poor state. As a result, my children have been sleeping at their grandmother's house because I was always worried about the condition of the house. I am now happy that I will no longer have to worry about the harsh weather and the insecurities issues. With the remaining amount,nt I bought food for my six family members that sustained us for a couple of days.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
 
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I have been living in a small single-roomed house that has been in a pathetic condition for the past one and a half years. It has a rusty iron roof that heavily leaks whenever it rains. So when I confirmed the receipt of my transfer, I first opted to buy building stones equivalent to KES 20,000. I have planned to build a two-bedroomed permanent house that will serve my family better for a longer period. The current house has a leaky roof and the walls are weak almost collapsing thus it subjects us to extreme cold at night. In addition, I spent KES 20,000 to pay school fees for my four school-going children. This has eased my burden of raising school fees, and am glad that they have been focusing well on their academics.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
As a result of the transfer, I was able to pay off the school fee for all my four children immediately after they reported to the school. This has granted them a conducive environment for learning. Initially, they were always sent home for fees thus they could not concentrate on their studies. I am happy that nowadays they are comfortable going to school. Previously I was just engaged in the hard labor of making ballast to earn wages for meeting my family's basic needs; food and education. Although I have been footing all the bills for the family since my husband lost his job in January, the transfer has cushioned us and we are relatively feeling better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
That morning I was just in the house with my four children and we were just having a good time together. I then heard a message on my phone and upon checking it, I was shocked to learn that it was my transfer. I shared with my children the same and all of us were so happy. We were overwhelmed with joy to have received such kind of support. My children believed that as a result of the transfer, they will be able to go to school with no stress of school fees issues. This was a unique kind of help that we had never received in our lifetime.
 
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a dignified life through decent housing. The house I am currently occupying is almost unhabitable due to its poor condition. It is so weak to an extent of falling In the case of very strong winds. The roof also leaks during the rainy seasons. Due to poverty, I have been unable to build a new house. I work at a quarry and I earn approximately 10,000 KES. With a family of 4 children, this amount mainly caters to our food. The money I will receive will help me build a new house that will be of a better standard. 25,000 KES will be enough for the total construction.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite all the life challenges I face, the performance of my children in school motivates me to keep going and pushing. In the previous examinations that they did in December last, they performed very well and as a parent, I was very proud.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The incapacity to pay school fees in full for my 3 children is the challenge I am facing. For 4 years, I have been working at a quarry to earn a living. I earn 400 KES per day. All the needs of the family should be sorted with this amount because my husband was sacked at his place of work. The money that remains after taking care of all the needs is very little to clear school fees. As of now, the fee balance stands at 15,000 KES. This causes my children to be sent home frequently.