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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.
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Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Edna's Profile
Edna's family
Edna
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
50
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($512 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Everyone in our village attests to the fact that GiveDirectly did a very good job and on my side, were it not for their support, I would still be wallowing in poverty and selling all the assets which I was still left with to gather for both the school fees for my children and also household goods. I am the most grateful person since my life was in a very bad condition but now I praise God for the elevated lifestyle I am living now.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDIrectly, in my opinion, did a very good job in our village. It raised us from the wort condition we were into the current one where we are living in well-furnished houses, unlike the grass-thatched huts which were always leaking during the rainy seasons. We have managed to purchase livestock and now able to produce and sell milk from our animals. We are grateful that everything is flowing very well at the moment an indication that GiveDirectly did a very good job in our village. Although we are celebrating the great uplift which came into our households, we are still contemplating on where to source school fees once the money which we received is exhausted. It was our wish that GiveDirectly would still stay in our village so that it may help our children through school as we concentrate on other developments in our household.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
School fees payment had sent us to sell all the livestock we had plus other assets before GiveDirectly came into our village. We were always working on casual labor in trials to make ends meet but we were so grateful when we received the first and the second transfers from GiveDirectly. I spent the second transfer on buying a heifer worth 13000 KES, constructed a new house with 20 iron sheets which cost a total of 13000 KES, bought a cupboard worth 10000 KES, purchase clothing for my household members which cost 10000 KES and finally used the remaining 17000 KES on clearing school fees areas for my children.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is the water storage tank that I bought with GiveDirectly funds. It has a capacity of 5000 Litres. Our water problems will be no more. We are only waiting for the rains to come then we harvest it. I thank God for this. We are grateful!
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was excited to see cash receipt notification from GiveDirectly. I called my children to notify them that we got the funds. They are young adults and they were happy too.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used the major part of the first transfer that GiveDirectly sent me to buy a water storage tank. I then bought cement and iron sheets to put up a stand for the tank. This tank is what we will use to harvest rain water. The river is quite far - it takes two hours one way. The long distance and the burden of carrying jerrycans of water on the back is tedious. The tank will store water for our domestic use and for cattle to drink because we have been taking them to the river to drink from there. Our water problem is now fully sorted courtesy of GD. I am happy and grateful to have received the transfer. I can now even have peace of mind as I go about my daily activities knowing we will have water because without it we are normally paralyzed. I also bought chairs and a table with the remainder. We did not have these too; now we do. We are for sure happy as a family.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean I will be able to own a cow and buy water tank since this area is so dry. I am planning to store water during rainy season for future use.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning since seeing a new day lightens my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a single mother and raising children single handedly is the biggest hardship I have faced in life since I had to work extra hard to provide for them.