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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 > Sophia's Profile
Sophia's family
Sophia
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Small business
faceAge:
40
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($526 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I was living a life of hopelessness, life full of frustration and desperation. A poor widow stranded with her sons because there was no money to be paid to them in school. I remember a time when my son in University was forced by the administration of the Institution to defer became he had a huge fee balance unpaid. It was sad to me and I was crying and praying, but thank God for answering my prayer through GiveDirectly. Now I live a life of relief, a life full of hope a head. I have cleared all the fees and I an certain that my son is going to graduate this year. To me it is true, that God normally wipes the tears of widows and orphans.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has improved the community economy as well as the neighbouring regions. The money has been touched by all sectors and I can count that there are those who have benefited indirectly. The organization has done very little on how the money that has been lost in the hands of corrupt helpers and Trustees of the vulnerable should be recovered. They should work closely with local administrators like chiefs, Deputy County Commissioner on how money stolen could be recovered.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on payment of school fees for my two sons who are learning in University and Secondary School respectively. I decided to do that because when my elder son was admitted in Secondary School, it found that my husband had alredy died. My brothers in-law declined to give me support to educate my son. Instead, they were gossiping that I will only sell one child in order to educate my son. I became aware that the only relatives I have at my in-law family are my children, and I vow to give them my best when it comes to education. They are my only hope in that society.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My daughter who just did her final secondary school examinations has always challenged me. She has been getting good grades in school yet I did not have enough to pay for her school fees in time. She has always been sent home because my casual work could not sustain our other needs and her school fees. SHe had been warned she will not receive her certificate if she does not clear her fees balance hence when I received this transfer, I wanted to be there for her like she has always been there for me in terms of performance. I am happy I cleared her fees and she will be able to get her certificate without any trouble.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
This was a moment of shock for me. So many NGOs have promised to support us but they have never fulfilled their promise and I knew Gd was just like all of them until that moment when I saw that message informing me I have received money from GD. I immediately called GD to render my appreciation for brightening my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Part of my transfer I spent on paying school fees for my daughter who was sitting for her final examinations in high school. She had been warned that she won't receive her certificate if she does not clear her fees balance and the rest of the transfer I spent on buying building materials such as cement and sand which I used to plaster my house. Mud from the walls have been falling off whenever it rains and I feared it might fall down on my family.
 
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to pay college fees to my son who is studying accounts, I will also pay fees to his sibling who is in form two in our local day school. The second Givedirectly cash transfer will help me improve my vegetables business and build a poultry house and improve on my chicken rearing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening after making sales at the market and I will be having money to buy food and meet other family needs with.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am currently faced with is that my mother in-law fell and broke he limbs and being that I am the one who cares for her has created a big burden in balancing going to the market and taking her for regular clinical check ups. It is in my hope that once she recovers I will be able to once again do business effectively.