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 > Ruth's Profile
Ruth's family
Ruth
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Raising livestock
faceAge:
54
workCampaign
Kenya Large Transfer
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($394 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Most children look up to their mothers for provision, and as one, I have to fulfil their needs. Since my husband is away most of the time, I am the one who always responds to their needs. This can only be possible with a constant source of income. Therefore, for this to bear fruit, I hope to utilize $100 on opening up a grocery business at Kapkwen to operate on market days to earn income for my family of three. Meanwhile, on non-market days, I will attend to my dairy farming to continue providing food for my family. I will be happy to be financially stable, busy, and food secure.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Education is the key to success, and every parent wants the best for their children. However, finances can be a shortcoming. I am glad that GiveDirectly has made it easy for the parents to educate their children through the transfers. In addition, since the transfers are unconditional, most family lives have been uplifted as they can make informed decisions on their pressing spending needs. Therefore, I never wish for the organization to alter their way of working, for it is perfect as it stands.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Although dairy farming comes with its share of challenges, such as lack of water and pasture, I am glad to have pulled through to support my family of three. I often sell 3 litres of milk daily to the milk vendors for $1.2, which I earn weekly. I opted for dairy farming because crop farming is unsustainable as a result of harsh climatic conditions. I am happy to have fed my family as well as provided for their clothing and shelter. However, the profits generated thus far are not sufficient to cater to other extensive needs, such as house construction and school fees for my two children. I am therefore grateful to GiveDirectly for making this a success. From the transfers, I was able to admit my daughter to grade 9 by paying $90 in school fees and purchasing school necessities such as uniforms, books, and personal belongings. I also spent $80 cementing my two-room house, which had become dusty, to reduce respiratory diseases. For the rest of the transfers, I stocked enough food to last the household until the next harvest season in six months. I am excited that my family is food secure as well as comfortable.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($444 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. That day, I was alone at home when I heard my phone ring and upon checking, I confirmed that I had indeed received a sum of $550 from GiveDirectly. I did not share the information with anyone apart from my children who equally felt very happy when I shared the news with them. I later withdrew the money after planning on how to use them appropriately.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the investments that I made. Having paid school fees arears plus that of an entire month have made me feel some form of relief. The dairy cow that I bought as well shall go a long way in enabling me meet most of my needs in future. This has made me and my family very happy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $100 to pay school fees for one of my children who is in secondary school. I used another $250 to buy a heifer and the remaining amount was used to improve our house and compound. The money came at a time that I had huge school fees arears and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to clear the fee balance. I do most of the decisions alone ever since my husband was put under arrest. It is sometimes hard to make ends meet but I have to keep pushing. I am so happy that we now have one additional dairy cow and have also cleared the school fees for my child. The next couple of months shall be stress free for me and I will use the moment to look for extra money that will help me pay school fees next term.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
 
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a total of 7 children and 5 of them are school dropouts leaving miserable lives. I have two who are still in school and I do not want the same trend to continue. My husband is serving a jail term of 12 years which means I have no one to help me. Being a dairy farmer with 1 cow on my farm, I am not in a position to raise $200 in school fees every year. I am happy that I have been enrolled by GiveDirectly and I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. I intend to spend $300 on school fees so that my children can get ample time to study.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a daughter who is sitting for her final examinations in the next three weeks. One month ago she was sent home to collect unpaid arrears amounting to $200. I went with her to school and explained the circumstances that I am going through and I am happy that I was heard and she was allowed in.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is serving a jail term of 12 years after being found guilty of assaulting a lady friend 2years ago. Aside from this story tainting the image of my family, it has also increased the burden of taking care of our children. Raising school fees for my two children has been an overwhelming task for the last two years. I cannot raise school fees amounting to $200 every year because I am a farmer depending on 1 cow. The milk that I get every day is 4 liters which I sell for $ 0.4. This translates to $1.6 per day and even if I was to save the whole amount it would not be sufficient to cover the required school fees.